2016 Participants
Gina Elsayed Abdelaal
Abnormal patterns of gene expression are a feature of cancer cells. Genes that are normally switched off in normal cells may be switched on to allow cancer cell survival. These genes are referred to as conditional lethal genes. In cancer cells, abnormal gene expression may be due to loss of control of DNA methylation. Cancer therapies are advancing from chemotherapy to more targeted treatments. It is now possible to identify cancer cells by looking at the methylation levels of certain genes, thanks to advances in technology. Since potential lethal genes are only expressed in cancer cells they make the perfect candidate for a targeted cancer therapy. T cell leukaemia and B cell leukaemia share some conditional lethal genes, so a treatment for one may target both.
Funding source: Newcastle University
Supervisor: Dr Gordan Strathdee