Grant: Project Grant

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Canada. The cause of colorectal cancer is likely due to a combination of factors, and has been linked to genetic mutations, diet, inflammatory processes, and bacteria that exist in the gut. Although significant efforts have been employed to understand the cause of this disease, the mechanism remains elusive. Dr. Stephen Girardin has established a research program to investigate the role of a new protein (NLRX1) in the development of colorectal cancer. NLRX1 belongs to a family of proteins that control intestinal inflammation and have been implicated in colorectal cancer. Previously published research as well as preliminary results from the Girardin lab demonstrated that this protein was essential to control how fast the cells that line our intestine divide after an injury, and if cells divide too quickly this can cause colorectal cancer. The overarching goal of this new project is to use in vivo cancer models, as well as reconstituted in vitro systems ("miniguts" or "organoids") to understand why cells lacking NLRX1 divide too rapidly.