Grant: Project Grant

Epithelial cells are major components of most tissues in our body, and are the target of approximately 90% of all human cancers. Epithelial cells are able to self-assemble into organized structures such as ducts and alveoli. A hallmark of cancer progression is the disruption of tissue architecture, which is considered a permissive step to the development of cancer. In this proposal, we will investigate how normal tissue organization is maintained and acts as a barrier to cancer progression. In our first objective, we will interrogate how the orientation in which cells divide maintains normal ductal shape and how errors are corrected to prevent cancer. In our second aim, we will investigate the mechanisms by which tissue structure is lost and understand how epithelial plasticity can be manipulated to restore epithelial tissue integrity to prevent cancer. Finally, we will evaluate whether women at high risk for developing breast cancer have impaired processes that maintain epithelial barriers that resist breast cancer.