Grant: Doctoral Award - Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships

Angiogenesis, a process by which new blood vessels are formed, is associated with multiple pathologies and occupies a growing place in cancer research. For tumors, the recruitment and formation of new blood vessels in their vicinity is essential for providing nutriments and oxygen supplies allowing their growth and survival. Moreover, these new tumor-associated blood vessels are ill-structured and highly leaky allowing cell dissemination and the formation of metastases, which is the deadliest process of cancer. Thus, the block of angiogenesis is required to stop tumor growth and dispersal. Our laboratory has identified Gab proteins has important promoters of angiogenesis and, consequently, as an interesting target. The objective of this project is to characterize a novel peptidic inhibitor of Gab proteins and evaluate its efficiency at blocking angiogenesis and tumor growth in cellular and mouse models. This innovative approach will allow the study of a new and potentially important therapeutic target for cancer treatment.