Filming the fate of cells carrying mutations in cancer driver genes
| Dates: | 14 December 2023 |
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| Times: | 13:00 - 14:00 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health |
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| Who is it for: | University staff, Current University students |
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| Speaker: | Jacco van Rheenen |
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Cells with mutations in driver genes are abundantly present in tissues of healthy individuals, yet they rarely develop into tumors. The underlying protection mechanisms that prevent tumor formation are largely unknown. Over the years, we have developed high-resolution intravital microscopy techniques to visualize and study the behavior and fate of individual cells in breast and intestinal tissues in living mice. In my talk, I will show how we have used these intravital technologies to study the mechanisms in breast tissues that both prevent and mediate the formation of tumors by cells with oncogenic mutations. Our findings highlight that the menstrual cycle drives the cellular turnover within the mammary ductal network, leading not only to loss but also the dispersal of mutant cells throughout the network. Intriguingly, this dispersal increases the risk of tumorigenesis. Furthermore, we showed that the menstrual cycle also drives periods of proliferation and cell death in tumor tissue. Importantly, the proliferative phase was accompanied by enhanced chemosensitivity. Collectively, our study reveals the menstrual cycle as an important infradian rhythm that plays a crucial role in tumor initiation and modulating chemosensitivity.
Speaker
Jacco van Rheenen
Organisation: Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute
Travel and Contact Information
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Lecture Theatre
Michael Smith Building
Manchester
