Characterizing the Role of Hep27 in Liver and Colorectal Cancer Stress Tolerance
Abstract
I am a predoctoral student planning to become a researcher in the fields of colorectal and liver cancer, with roles in both research and teaching. This award will enable me to perform the research necessary to obtain my degree and jump start my career. The Researcher Development Plan supports my career goals of becoming a colorectal and liver cancer researcher by increasing my technical abilities, developing my communication skills, and promoting the development of professional connections. I will be trained at the bench, which is critical for publishing high-quality, high-impact research. Oral and written communication skills are perhaps the most important skills a scientist can possess, as research is meaningless unless it can be effectively presented and shared with others. The development plan also supports the growth in these areas as well as her professional network, thus supporting collaborations in my future scientific endeavors. This research proposal seeks to explore a potentially new way that colorectal and liver cancer cells resist cancer treatments and progress to cause further harm to the patient. Cancer cells are sensitive to current cancer treatments in part because they grow much faster than normal cells. However, this fast growth presents a challenge to the cancer cells since rapid growth can lead to the build-up of toxic chemicals. Anti-cancer therapies also tend to increase the levels of these toxins within the cancer cells, sometimes enough to cause the cell to die. Cancer cells that find ways to get rid of these excess toxins tend to survive cancer therapies much better than those that do not. I am interested in testing whether and how the Hep27 protein is a way for cancer cells to remove these toxic products and promote their own survival. This basic research will provide greater foundational understanding of how cancer cells survive current cancer treatments. Knowledge gained from this work will inform future research towards developing drugs that inhibit Hep27 that can be tested in animal models and hopefully human patients. A drug that inhibits the ability of Hep27 to remove these toxic products could be helpful to patients with colorectal and liver cancer, specifically those whose tumors have been shown to have increased levels of Hep27, including active duty Service members and their beneficiaries.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 2017
- Source ID
- W81XWH1610402
Entities
People
- Nicole Carlson
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill