Summary of the science
Special cells known as stem cells reside everywhere in the body and can become any other type of cell. They multiply when other cells are ageing and/or damaged to replenish the tissue. However, if this is not controlled, it can lead to cancer. The Battle Lab aims to understand this process, by studying how certain proteins work, that play an important role in stem cell function.
About the research
The Batlle Lab studies the molecular mechanisms involved in the initiation and progression of colorectal cancer. More specifically, they investigate the function of genes and proteins important to intestinal stem cells, to understand how they transition into cancers so that this information can be harnessed to drive future therapeutic strategies.
About the illustration