Grant: Operating Grant

As normal cells become cancer cells, they develop new phenotypes. One such characteristic is the ability to invade surrounding tissue and enter the blood stream. In order for a cancer cell to invade, it also has to become more motile. Our previous research has identified SLK as a protein regulating cell motility. This project will use cultured cells and animal models to investigate the mechanisms of SLK-stimualted motility. We will attempt to disrupt SLK regulators and their interaction to anlayse the effect on cell movement. Finally, we will examine the effect of SLK gene deletion on the induction of tumors in animal models of cancer.