Dr. Moellering [HHMI Fellow] is investigating whether cancer cells use small molecule signaling, known as quorum-sensing, to communicate and thus control tumor initiation, growth and metastasis. Such mechanisms are well characterized in other complex cellular populations, such as bacteria, but none have been discovered yet in human cancer. Understanding this form of cancer cell communication will provide insights into many aspects of tumor progression and may identify new opportunities for therapeutic intervention.

 

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Project Title: "Characterization of novel pathogenic pathways in cancer: do tumor cells use quorum-sensing molecules to support malignancy?"

Institution: The Scripps Research Institute

Sponsor(s) / Mentor(s): Benjamin F. Cravatt, PhD

Cancer Type: All cancers

Research Area: Chemical Biology