Research Activities
Current Research Projects
Our laboratory focuses on mechanisms driving tumor metastasis and identifying potential therapeutic strategies to inhibit metastatic tumor growth. We have a particular interest in understanding mechanisms driving metastatic growth in the bone, which is the most common site of metastasis for prostate, breast and lung cancers. We are also interested in understanding the role of miRNA in processes associated with tumor growth, in particular angiogenesis. Specific areas of ongoing research are:
1) Understanding the effects of conventional treatment on the metastatic tumor microenvironment and how this effects subsequent tumor growth.
2) Understanding the contributions of bone resident cells in maintaining dormancy of disseminated metastatic tumor cells or facilitating the ability of tumor cells to overcome microenvironment-induced dormancy.
3) Identifying metabolic vulnerabilities in metastatic tumors and evaluating whether their therapeutic targeting can prevent progressive metastatic growth or sensitize tumors to conventional therapy.
4) Evaluating whether metabolic vulnerabilities can be utilized for tumor diagnostic or prognostic predictions.
5) Understanding how miRNA regulate the angiogenic process and what role extracellular vesicle derived miRNA affect angiogenesis and tumor progression.
Keywords: angiogenesis, bone metastasis, tumour microenvironment, biomarkers, cancer therapy, signal transduction
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3492-475X
