Radioactive
Biology
(Studentship:
Patricia Jean Hunter - University of Toronto)
Genes
that are critical for proper development of the placenta
are just beginning to be identified. Ms Hunter's primary
hypothesis is that the 6AD1 gene is required for either
the development or function of the placenta. Fetal losses
in humans and animals are often associated with abnormalities
in placental and cardiovascular development. The study
of 6AD1 gene function will not only provide new insights
into placental function, but also represents the first
genetic analysis of this family of chaperone proteins
in mammals.
Ovarian
Cancer
(Studentship
Renewal: Andreas Evangelou - University of Toronto)
The
development of epithelial ovarian cancer has been correlated
with elevated levels of androgen in the ovary. Moreover,
more than 90% of epithelial ovarian cancer tumours tested
positive for androgen receptor expression. Together,
these findings suggest an important role for androgen
in the progression of the disease. Mr. Evangelou hypothesizes
that elevated androgens (or perhaps heightened sensitivity
to androgens), act to substantially decrease TGF-B action.
As a result, the growth and/or programmed cell death
of androgen sensitive epithelial cells is altered, leading
to the development and progression of carcinoma. An
understanding of the role of androgen and TGF-B in the
progression of epithelial ovarian cancer may provide
insight into the etiology of the disease and reveal
important mechanisms that could be exploited in the
clinical management of the disease.
Gynaecological
Oncology
(Studentship
Renewal: Heather Hodgert Jury - University of Western
Ontario)
There
is now convincing evidence that environmental compounds
with estrogenetic activity pose a health problem. One
of the main questions we are now faced with is whether
our exposure to these compounds is sufficient to cause
disease. Ms. Jury's research project will study the
bioavailability of environmental estrogens and their
effects on human breast cancer cell growth.
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