Zoe Bell

• MPhys Physics
• Examining the role of exosomes in the spread of bone cancer

Exosomes are signalling vesicles which are ejected in high numbers by cancer cells. A hypothesis with increasing evidence is that cancer cells send out signals to prepare distant sites before they go out and colonise these sites during the process called metastasis. It is thought that it is the exosomes that go out first and prepare the distant site for colonisation. In this project, we will look at the role of exosomes in primary bone cancer (chondrosarcoma). It will involve isolating exosomes, which are small lipid vesicles from cancer cells, and looking at whether these exosomes can encourage cancer cell migration. This will be tested using an impedance based invasion chamber to mimic how cells migrate through tissue.

Funded by: Newcastle University

Project Supervisor: Dr Daniel Frankel