17 novel candidate breast cancer genes
The genes were found by Dr. Vasiliki Theodorou in the research group of Dr. John Hilkens in an exhaustive screen for new oncogenes by using mouse mammary tumor virus-based insertional mutagenesis, an existing technology that obtained a new impuls as a result of the recent completion of the mouse genome sequence. The technology is based on the property of retroviruses to incorporate their DNA in the genome of the host cell as part of their live cycle. The incorporated DNA behaves as a mutagen and affects the activity of adjacent genes or interrupts the coding sequence of a host cell gene. If the affected gene is an oncogene, the integration can lead to tumor development.
Because the genetic code is known the integration site of the viral DNA can be exactly be located. Subsequently, the gene that is affected by the inserted virus can be identified. It is the first time that so many genes were identified in this way.
Theodorou and collegues looked for breast cancer genes in a mouse model. Breast cancer research in mice provide us more insight in development of human breast cancer and aid reseachers in the development of new therapies.
Media Contact
More Information:
http://www.nki.nl/All latest news from the category: Life Sciences and Chemistry
Articles and reports from the Life Sciences and chemistry area deal with applied and basic research into modern biology, chemistry and human medicine.
Valuable information can be found on a range of life sciences fields including bacteriology, biochemistry, bionics, bioinformatics, biophysics, biotechnology, genetics, geobotany, human biology, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, cellular biology, zoology, bioinorganic chemistry, microchemistry and environmental chemistry.
Newest articles
Properties of new materials for microchips
… can now be measured well. Reseachers of Delft University of Technology demonstrated measuring performance properties of ultrathin silicon membranes. Making ever smaller and more powerful chips requires new ultrathin…
Floating solar’s potential
… to support sustainable development by addressing climate, water, and energy goals holistically. A new study published this week in Nature Energy raises the potential for floating solar photovoltaics (FPV)…
Skyrmions move at record speeds
… a step towards the computing of the future. An international research team led by scientists from the CNRS1 has discovered that the magnetic nanobubbles2 known as skyrmions can be…
