Cytoskeletal Systems Group

In much the same way that the skeleton provides a structural framework to support the human body, the shape, internal organisation and mechanical properties of each cell are supported by networks of protein filaments, collectively known as the cytoskeleton. Whilst cytoskeletal networks have traditionally been studied and treated in isolation, they are in reality highly inter-dependent and integrated in terms of their mechanical properties and upstream signalling regulators.

In the context of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), our group are particularly interested in exploiting cytoskeletal phenotypes to identify novel drugs that target these signalling regulators. Our ongoing projects utilise these novel drugs as tools to decipher the biology that underpins metastatic disease progression in TNBC, and in close collaboration with the Network Biology laboratory, we are actively pursuing the preclinical assessment and development of several novel compounds for the treatment of metastatic TNBC.

Our group also aim to investigate holistic cytoskeletal systems in diseases where cytoskeletal components are fundamental drivers of disease pathogenesis and essential therapeutic targets. In our cancer research streams, this work involves understanding how crosstalk between these systems dictates therapeutic outcomes to standard-of-care microtubule-targeting agents. Beyond cancers, we are interested in understanding how mutations in specific cytoskeletal proteins underpin disease aetiology.