Research
Our research focuses on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly
aggressive subtype of the disease that lacks the estrogen receptor
(ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor
receptor 2 (HER-2/neu), making it very difficult to treat. Highly
relevant to the African context is the fact that TNBC has been shown
to be more prevalent in black women. This subtype has been linked to
earlier age of onset, higher mortality and greater risk for
metastasis. To date there remain limited treatment options available
for TNBC patients. The work in our group focuses on the
characterisation of TNBCs as well as the screening of novel small
molecules of natural and synthetic origin against TNBC and other
cancer cell lines. An important part of the preclinical drug discovery
process is the elucidation of the mechanism of action of a particular
compound, the mode of cell death induced and signal transduction
pathways perturbed. In particular, we are interested in apoptosis and
autophagy as cell death mechanisms and the role of the stress response
and molecular chaperones in mediating cytotoxicity.
Research Group Members:
Principal Invesgitor
Hons Students
Mr D. Cash
MSc Students
Ms. N. Vukea
Phd Students
Ms D. Kajewole
Ms P. Maumela
Last Modified: Mon, 12 Nov 2018 13:27:18 SAST