Cancer Gene Regulation
![[caption below]](/images/misc/Paraspeckles-sml.jpg)
A slice through the nucleus of a cancer cell grown in culture. The cell is stained with markers that reveal different sub-nuclear structures such as DNA, splicing speckles, nucleoli and paraspeckles. Specific molecules are held in the paraspeckles, preventing them being made into proteins.
Cancer cells use a host of different mechanisms to bypass the normal checks and balances that stop cells dividing uncontrollably. An important part of this is the ability of the cancer cell to turn on and/or off important genes. The Fox lab focuses on the role of nuclear organisation in these 'gene expression' decisions made by cancers. The group uses as a model system a sub-nuclear structure discovered by Dr. Fox termed 'paraspeckles'. Paraspeckles contain RNA and proteins in complexes that together control the fate of certain genes -allowing or preventing the gene to be made into protein. Currently a concerted effort is underway to reveal the molecular mechanisms involved so they can be targeted in cancer therapy and also used for gene therapy constructs.
Senior Research Staff
Dr Archa Fox
Head, Cancer Gene Regulation
Research: control of gene expression; sub-nuclear bodies; paraspeckles |
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