Our research
Cell Biology of Cancer with focus on Cell-matrix Interactions
Tissue stiffening is a critical process in cancer due to increased deposition and cross-linking of tumor extracellular matrix (ECM). As tumors form, develop and progress, the ECM gradually stiffens, which is why tumors are often detected as a “lump”. We investigate how the mechanical properties of the ECM affects different cellular functions in cancer development and progression. This increased stiffness is sensed by cells and translated into cellular signaling via mechanotransduction, bolstering cancer aggression by promoting cell proliferation and invasion. We investigate how mechanotransduction controlled by ECM stiffening governs cellular signaling and gene regulation and their function in cancer. This aims to improve our fundamental understanding of cancer.
We also investigate if the matrix organization in ductal carcinoma in situ, as well as of the benign breast diseases sclerosing adenosis and pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia, may be predictive of the patients’ risk for breast cancer.
We utilize a state-of-the-art set of models and technologies, including transgenic mouse cancer models, human patient samples and patient-derived cells, analyzed by multiplex in situ analysis using antibodies or spatial transcriptomics combined with matrix characterization, single cell RNA-sequencing, proteomics, global kinase activity assays, as well as various biochemical assays.
