Prof Laura Machesky FRSE - Migration, Invasion and Metastasis

Introduction

MacheskyL

Normal tissues have a balance of physical forces, keeping their architecture and organisation intact. In contrast, this balance is disrupted in tumours, leading to abnormal architecture, progression and spread. These imbalances affect migration and invasion, which in turn places metabolic demands on the cells and can lead to rewiring of cellular responses. When tumour cells escape to new tissues, metastatic seeding occurs, but cells can either rapidly proliferate and grow into a new tumour or remain quiet until conditions trigger outgrowth. Our group use molecular cell biology, in vivo models and advanced imaging to understand how stresses and signalling in the tumour and the microenvironment drive metastasis and reawakening of disseminated cancer cells. Using bioengineering, we are also modelling the tumour microenvironment and the metastatic niche, so that its complexity can be better understood. We focus mainly on pancreatic cancer, which is a very aggressive cancer, known for its stiff fibrotic stroma and metastatic behaviour.


See the following CRUK Science blogs to find out more about the work of Prof Machesky's group:


Other funding:

              UKRI MR Council-Logo Horiz-RGB           UKRI EPSR Council-Logo Horiz-RGB 

 

            Physics of life          lifETIME CDT          Saudi Arabia Ministry Education