Biology of the Normal Breast
The biology of the normal breast is a greatly understudied area. That is why the CBCRP has continued to support this priority issue. The breast is a complex structure composed of several cell types that function to generate milk or to support the cells that generate milk.We know that the milk forming cells are the ones that are most likely to give rise to tumors, but there are many questions yet to be answered. How do the different types of cells interact in the breast under normal conditions? What normal changes are necessary for the breast to function properly? Without knowing the answers to these questions, it requires a leap of faith to be able to identify the abnormal changes associated with cancer.
What we do know about the breast is that it is an organ in constant flux. Researchers are finding that how the breast remodels itself under the influence of internal and external factors dictates how it functions. The production of milk depends on the maturity (differentiation) of the breast cells, which in turn is controlled by hormones and growth factors and the immediate environment of the cells, as well as the internal and external physical structure of the cells. The six newly funded grants in the biology of the normal breast priority area investigate various pathways that contribute to breast cell growth maturation, and death.
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Influence of breast structure on growth, maturation and milk production — These grants examine the components responsible for maintaining the shape of the breast cell and identify the factors that regulate these components.
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Influence of DNA structure on growth and cell growth and maturation — These grants investigate how the physical structure of DNA can determine whether breast cells divide or die.
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Role of non-milk producing cells in the breast — These grants examine the role of cell types that are non-milk producing cells in the breast in regulating breast cell division, maturation and milk production.
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Mechanisms of action of hormones and internal factors in breast cells — These explore how cells are cued to divide and behave like breast cells.
Role of Chromatin Regulator in Breast Cell Growth
Chen, Hongwu
University of California, Davis
3 years, $286,151
Genetic Aspects of Physiological Response During
Lactation Johnson, Randall
University of California, San Diego
3 years, $593,997
Telomere Clustering is Lost in Mammary Epithelial Tumors
Kaminker, Patrick
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
2 years, $80,000
Role of IKKa in Mammary Gland Development
Karin, Michael
University of California, San Diego
3 years, $563,696
Coactivators in Mammary Gland Development and Tumorigenesis
Wang, Zhiyong
The Salk Institute
2 years, $80,000
Analysis of a Protease Involved in Mammary Development
Zahedi, Rana
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
2 years, $80,000
