Interaction of Genome and Cellular Micronenvioronment

Mina Bissell

Life Sciences Division
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Why this Project

While normal stoma can delay or prevent tumorigenesis, abnormal stromal components can promote tumor growth. Acquired or inherited mutations that alter stromal cell function can release the context-suppressed malignant cells. Literature spanning more than a century has shown that inflammation associated with tissue wounding can produce tunors. Radiation produces changes in reactive oxygen that are similar to inflammation and may represent a mechanism for radiation-induced damage.

Project Goals

To determine the underlying role of stromal alterations in controling genomic instability accompanying epithelial-mesenchyumal transformation.

Experimental Approach

Studies will be conducted to determine if radiation-induced changes in the stroma can modify tumor responses.

Expected Outcomes

The role of stroma and inflammatory-type changes in the induction and control of a cancer phenotype will help determine the mechanism of action for radiation–induced cancer.

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