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I am a PhD student with the TGFβ group at Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Uppsala. Drop me an email if you are an undergraduate student looking for 10-points/weeks project.

How do growth factors cause cancer cell metastasis? A molecular and cell biology approach

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is a tumour-suppressor protein that regulates many cellular processes like cell proliferation, migration, wound healing and immunity. It is also involved in the pathogenesis in many cancers, such as cancers of the pancreas, breast, colon, oesophageal, gastrointestinal, and lung. TGFβ has been shown to promote invasiveness and metastasis, or spreading, of cancer cells. During cancer progression, TGFβ induces a phenomenon known as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), whereby epithelial cells change their morphology into mesenchymal cells to facilitate cell invasion and migration. Our project aims to define molecular mechanisms of EMT via TGFβ and transcription factors. Through these studies, we hope to identify novel markers that could be accurately used as potential diagnostic or therapeutic tools for cancer patients and/or research.

TGFβ/Smad Signaling Pathway

TGFβ ligand binds to serine/threonine kinase type II receptor (TβRII), which phosphorylates and activates type I receptor (TβRI), also a serine/threonine kinase. Activated TβRI phosphorylate the receptor-regulated Smads (R-Smads) such as Smad2/3. The R-Smads form complexes with the common Smad (co-Smad), i.e. Smad4, and together they translocate to the nucleus to initiate gene transcription.