Overview
Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.
Breast cancer metastasis is often the final and fatal event in the progression of solid malignancies. Detection of metastatic cells remains elusive. DNA methylation has been shown to be a useful prognostic marker for metastatic cell potential in many forms of cancer. We have shown that IGF:IGFBP:VN complexes stimulate breast cell migration as a result of disregulation of a subset of genes. This project aims to determine if this increased migration is caused by methylation–induced changes in gene expression and thus determine if analysis of DNA methylation can be used to monitor metastatic potential of breast cancer cells.
Methods and techniques that will be developed in the course of this project include:
- cell culture (Breast cancer cell lines)
- analysis of gDNA through bisulphite sequencing
- real–time PCR (analysis of RNA expression levels)
- western blot (analysis of protein expression levels).
- Study level
- PhD, Masters, Honours
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
- Please contact the supervisor for enquiries.
Dr Kerry Manton
Professor Zee Upton
