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Theme - Cancer Stem Cells & Signalling |
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The study of stem cells is vitally important in biomedical research. The scientists in this unit study the signaling pathways between healthy and cancerous cells, and between cancerous tissues and tumors with their surroundings.
Stem cells are unspecialized cells that have the ability to divide indefinitely and to differentiate into any other cell type in the human body. Under normal conditions, these unique cells possess the properties of life-long regeneration, providing a human being with the means to replenish blood, skin, muscle and other cells throughout life. Understanding the signaling that controls the growth and differentiation properties of stem cells is of great importance.
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A major aim of stem cell research is to understand the differentiation programs of stem cells and to ultimately use that knowledge to treat major diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, spinal chord injuries and heart disease. Many tumor types are thought to grow from a small population of cancerous cells that have ‘stem-like’ properties, allowing them to divide indefinitely. A major front in cancer research is to identify these cancer stem cells and design therapies that can target them specifically.
The growth of both normal and cancer stem cells is intimately linked to their surrounding tissues and biochemical signals collectively referred to as the stem cell “niche”. Deciphering this communication system is critical to understanding how stem cells can regenerate tissues, as well as how they can develop into cancers.
The researchers of this unit focus on the biochemical signaling processes of both normal and cancer stem cells within their living surroundings, providing insights leading to new therapies in both tissue regeneration and novel forms of cancer treatment that target tumor stem cells.
The team:
Dr. Philippe Gros
Dr. Jerry Pelletier
Dr. Nahum Sonenberg
Dr. Jose Teodoro
Dr. Michel L. Tremblay
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