UNBC Researchers Make Cancer Discoveries
February 5, 2007
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A biochemistry research team at the University of Northern British
Columbia has made three findings related to their research on cancer.
Their results are appearing today in a prestigious genetic research
journal – Nucleic Acids Research – published by Oxford University Press.
The article was authored by Dan Sparanese, a UNBC student who had been conducting the research as part of his master’s degree program, and Dr. Chow Lee, a UNBC biochemistry professor. Their results follow several years of research in Prince George and focus on two naturally occurring proteins that contribute to the rapid growth of cancer cells and their resistance to treatments such as chemotherapy. These are two of the aspects that makes cancer so deadly. |
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In particular, they have been the first to identify an enzyme that can
destroy two messenger RNAs (mRNA) that carry the genetic code for two
proteins implicated in cancer: c-myc, which is known to contribute to
the rapid growth of cancer cells, and MDR1, which blocks the
effectiveness of cancer treatment. They have also proven that another
protein, called CRD-BP, binds to both c-myc and MDR1 mRNAs and prevents
the enzyme from destroying them. Future research will aim to determine
more information about the enzyme and its relationship to CRD-BP in
controlling mRNAs, thereby controlling the aggressiveness of cancer
cells.
“There are hundreds of thousands of mRNAs in the body, which lead to the production of hundreds of thousands of proteins. We’ve focused on c-myc and MDR1 because of their close link to cancer,” says Dr. Lee. “These discoveries won’t lead to a quick cure – that’s many years away at best – but I’m very proud to have had the opportunity to be the leader of a talented group of students who have worked with me over the past several years at UNBC. It’s truly remarkable that this kind of research is even conducted in Prince George, at a small university.”
UNBC is the smallest university in Canada to conduct research supported by the National Cancer Institute of Canada, with funds from the Canadian Cancer Society. Funding for the research has also been provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, and the Canadian Liver Foundation.
Contact:
Dr. Chow Lee, Biochemistry professor, UNBC – 250.960.5413
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622
“There are hundreds of thousands of mRNAs in the body, which lead to the production of hundreds of thousands of proteins. We’ve focused on c-myc and MDR1 because of their close link to cancer,” says Dr. Lee. “These discoveries won’t lead to a quick cure – that’s many years away at best – but I’m very proud to have had the opportunity to be the leader of a talented group of students who have worked with me over the past several years at UNBC. It’s truly remarkable that this kind of research is even conducted in Prince George, at a small university.”
UNBC is the smallest university in Canada to conduct research supported by the National Cancer Institute of Canada, with funds from the Canadian Cancer Society. Funding for the research has also been provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, and the Canadian Liver Foundation.
Contact:
Dr. Chow Lee, Biochemistry professor, UNBC – 250.960.5413
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622
