Research

QBCF Strategic Grants Program

Research Factsheet

PROFESSOR SYLVIE MADER

UNIVERSITÉ DE MONTRÉAL, MONTRÉAL

PROJECT TITLE Genetic determinants of transformation in basal-like breast tumors

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR Professor Sylvie Mader

INSTITUTE Université de Montréal, Montréal

CO-APPLICANT Dr. Guy Sauvageau, Université de Montréal

TOTAL RESEARCH BUDGET $449,937

RESEARCH SUMMARY*:

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in North American women. Breast tumors often contain specific genetic

defectsconsisting in the loss of specific regions in the chromosomes of tumor cells.

It is thought that these so-called chromosomal deletions contribute to tumorigenesis through removal of genes or groups of genes that normally prevent cancer formation.

The goal of this project is to use a strategy recently developed in our laboratories to introduce random deletions in the chromosomes of normal breast cells that are the precursors of a type of cancer associated with poor prognosis and assess whether this results in tumor formation. This approach should identify genes that play a role in preventing formation of this type of tumors.

Better understanding of the roles of these anti-cancer genes may also help designing novel therapeutic molecules to better treat these tumors.

* This document is a non-scientific summary.