Mammary Tissue Host-Microbiome Interactions in Breast Cancer Development
Abstract
Overarching Challenge and Scientific Background: One in eight women is diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Women with a family history of breast cancer (genetic predisposition to the disease) are more likely to be diagnosed than those who do not have a family history. However, genetics can only explain a small percentage of breast cancer cases. Further, there is evidence that the environment also contributes to breast cancer development; however, (similar to genetics) environmental risk factors (height, weight, chemical exposure) can only account for a moderate amount of breast cancer cases. Thus, there is a strong need to identify other factors that may contributing to the development of this disease. Identification of these factors will be very important in our quest to end breast cancer. Recent research suggests that there are specific bacteria in breast tissue (the breast tissue microbiome) that are associated with breast cancer. However, how the breast tissue microbiome is involved in breast cancer development has yet to be truly understood. Research Objective: To determine how the breast tissue microbiome is involved in breast cancer development. Proposed Research Plan: The Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank (KTB) at the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center is a unique and precious resource for breast cancer research, as it recruits healthy women to donate breast tissue for medical research. Moreover, a small number of the healthy donors to the KTB later develop breast cancer, thereby establishing another invaluable tissue resource by providing researchers with breast tissue prior to the diagnosis of this disease. We propose to use these samples to analyze the breast tissue microbiome prior to the diagnosis of breast cancer, in comparison to tissue donated by healthy individuals, and tissue from patients with cancer. We will also analyze human and bacterial genes that may be driving development of this disease. Finally, we will analyze how these breast tissue bacteria and human and bacterial genes interact to promote breast cancer. Career Goals: My career objective is to become an independent breast cancer researcher and leader in the field of breast cancer research. I plan to devote my career to understanding how the human microbiome contributes to breast cancer development and how we can use the microbiome to protect women from developing this disease. How the Research and Research Development Plans Support These Goals: To establish myself as a prominent breast cancer researcher, I first need to expand upon my current expertise in microbiome research and establish new, additional expertise in cancer biology and computing. The project and research development plan I have outlined in this proposal are designed to be very supportive of these career goals. Firstly, this project will allow me to use the skills I developed in microbiome research during my PhD and will also provide me with hands-on experience to enhance my computing skills in biology. My researcher development plan consists of coursework, seminars, and workshops focused on each of these research areas and regular meetings with expert mentors in these fields. I will be mentored primarily by Dr. Karin B. Michels, Professor and Chair in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Dr. Michels is a world-renowned leader in breast cancer research. I will also receive additional mentoring by Dr. Alexandra Binder, Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at UCLA, and Dr. Natascia Marino, Assistant Professor at Indiana University School of Medicine and member of the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center. Under the guidance of these expert scientists and through following my career development plan, I am certain that I will gain the experience necessary to achieve my research and career goals. Future Clinical Applications: Using these highly innovative techniques, this w
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 29, 2018
- Source ID
- W81XWH1810749
Entities
People
- Leah T. Stiemsma
Organizations
- Pepperdine University
- United States Army