“BH3 mimetics are a new class of small molecule anti-cancer agents that specifically bind BCL2 prosurvival proteins such as BCL2 and MCL1 to trigger apoptotic cell death. Despite the presence of the prosurvival target protein, many cancers are resistant to these agents, highlighting the need to clarify the mechanisms of sensitivity and resistance.
This project will use a range of antibodies, including recently developed antibodies, to correlate changes in BCL2 signaling with sensitivity to BH3 mimetics. By analysing a range of cancer cell lines as well as patient samples, we aim to develop novel means of predicting patient responses to BH3 mimetics.
This project will involve a range of cell biology and biochemistry techniques including cell culture, gel electrophoresis, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry.”
