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Research on telomeres could reveal how cancer cells become immortal
February 18, 2015
Dr.
David Picketts
was recently awarded a grant worth $120,000 from the Cancer Research Society to study how cancer cells manipulate the ends of their chromosomes – called telomeres – to defy the normal limits of cell division and grow into large tumours. As most cells divide, their telomeres slowly erode until they reach a threshold size that provides a signal for the cell to stop dividing. However, cancer cells often have genetic mutations that allow them to extend their telomeres indefinitely, thereby allowing them to grow uncontrollably. Dr. Picketts is studying how a gene called ATRX helps to maintain normal telomeres and prevent the development of cancer, particularly in the brain and pancreas. This research could lead to the development of novel cancer treatments.
About the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
The
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
is the research arm of
The Ottawa Hospital
and is an affiliated institute of the
University of Ottawa
, closely associated with its faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences. The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute includes more than 1,700 scientists, clinical investigators, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and staff conducting research to improve the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human disease. Support our research. Give to the
Tender Loving Research
campaign.
Media contact
Paddy Moore
Communications and Public Relations
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
613-737-8899 x73687
613-323-5680 (cell)
padmoore@ohri.ca