Overview


The mammary gland undergoes dramatic morphological changes during its development. At birth, the gland consists only of a mammary fat pad and a few two-layered rudimentary epithelial ducts, which extend from the nipple into the fat pad. During puberty, these ducts grow rapidly into the surrounding mammary fat pad, forming a network of primary and secondary ducts. This strong invasive growth is enabled by bulbous structures at the growing ends of the ducts, the terminal end buds (TEBs). These regress into terminal end ducts when they reach the end of the fat pad (10-12 weeks). Cell growth at this stage is minimal. However, during pregnancy, the ducts bud and branch again, forming a network of tertiary branches and secretory alveoli, which are fully differentiated at lactation. Once lactation stops, milk accumulates and this sends out an as yet unknown signal to the newly formed epithelial structures, which undergo apoptosis and the gland becomes remodelled in a process known as involution.

Several of the characteristics associated with normal mammary gland development can also be found in the development of breast cancer (e.g. high proliferation, invasive growth, tissue remodelling). In addition, evidence gathered over recent years shows that many genes that are deregulated in cancer are also involved in embryogenesis and organ development. We therefore hypothesised that genes that are normally involved in and control development of the mammary gland may be abnormally regulated in breast cancer. Such genes may be potential targets for cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Our Focus (Research Aims)


Our team is applying proteomics and microarray analysis, coupled with laser micro-dissection and histological techniques in order to understand how the normal breast develops. Better understanding of normal development, can give an insight into how breast cancer arises and could ultimately help detect the disease at a far earlier stage. To this end, we are focusing on:
    1. Identifying genes that control the different stages of mammary gland development (puberty, pregnancy, lactation and involution).
    2. Establishing these genes as potential new targets for breast cancer diagnosis and/or treatment.