Rhodes>BioBRU>Members>Dr de la Mare Research Group

de la Mare Research Group

 

Research

Our research focuses on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly 

aggressive subtype of the disease that lacks the estrogen receptor 

(ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor 

receptor 2 (HER-2/neu), making it very difficult to treat. Highly 

relevant to the African context is the fact that TNBC has been shown 

to be more prevalent in black women. This subtype has been linked to 

earlier age of onset, higher mortality and greater risk for 

metastasis. To date there remain limited treatment options available 

for TNBC patients. The work in our group focuses on the 

characterisation of TNBCs as well as the screening of novel small 

molecules of natural and synthetic origin against TNBC and other 

cancer cell lines. An important part of the preclinical drug discovery 

process is the elucidation of the mechanism of action of a particular 

compound, the mode of cell death induced and signal transduction 

pathways perturbed. In particular, we are interested in apoptosis and 

autophagy as cell death mechanisms and the role of the stress response 

and molecular chaperones in mediating cytotoxicity.

 

Research Group Members:

 

Principal Invesgitor

Dr. Jo-Anne de la Mare

 

Hons Students

Mr D. Cash

 

MSc Students

Ms. N. Vukea

 

Phd Students


Ms D. Kajewole

Ms P. Maumela

Last Modified: Mon, 12 Nov 2018 13:27:18 SAST