Signal Transduction
The Signal Transduction Group studies mechanisms of hormone and growth factor signalling and how these are altered in disease states, particularly cancer. Our current research focuses on three proteins involved in either the transmission of signals within the cell or the regulation of these signalling events: Gab2, cortactin and Grb14. Overexpression of Gab2, which is found in a subset of breast cancers, increases not only the proliferation of cancer cells but also their invasive properties. The latter effect suggests that Gab2 may promote cancer cell spread throughout the body. High levels of cortactin are found in some breast and head and neck cancers, and we have identified that this protein increases resistance to a new drug currently in clinical development. Together with researchers in the Diabetes Program, we are studying how Grb14, and related proteins, regulate the metabolic and growth-promoting effects of insulin and insulin-like growth factors.
Staff
 Research OfficerDr David Croucher |
 Research OfficerDr Falko Hochgrafe |
 Research OfficerDr Brigid Browne |
 Senior Research AssistantRuth Lyons |
 Research AssistantLuxi Zhang |
 Research AssistantDanny Rickwood |
 PhD StudentBrian Lee |
 PhD StudentAna Porta Cubas |
 PhD StudentEmily Stoddart |
 PhD StudentCarole Tactacan |
| Visiting Student Caroline Ortiz-Padilla |
