Grant: CIHR New Investigator

The aim of this project is to understand the molecular basis underlying how cell division is deregulated in cancer cells. This study will be performed using drosophila fly as a model using modern genetic and cell biology tools to identify and characterize novel genes involved in the control of cell division. In the last past years, Drosophila melanogaster has proven to be an excellent model organism to study such aspects of cell biology. Since most of the molecular functions are conserved throughout evolution, this work will provide new avenues to study the process of cell division across species. Deregulation of cell division being one of the major causes leading to cancer and metastasis, this work will enable a better understanding on the molecular pathways that prevent this disease.