Characterization of a Drosophila CRC 3-hit model using genetic approaches and impact of inhibitors on tumor growth

Characterization of a Drosophila CRC 3-hit model using genetic approaches and impact of inhibitors on tumor growth

    Presenter(s)

    Sydney Anderson

    Comments

    11:00-12:00, Kennedy Union Boll Theatre

    Description

    Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, resulting in the deaths of over 50,000 people every year (American Cancer Society, 2023). The similarities shared between mammal and Drosophila melanogaster anatomy within the intestinal tract make Drosophila a great model for studying colorectal cancer. This study will investigate tumor characteristics of a Drosophila CRC model generated by modulating three genes within the key Hippo pathway to create a 3-hit model: p53, RasV12, and APC. The gene combination in the 3-hit model closely emulates how CRC presents in humans and is therefore important to study. This study will (a) characterize the tumors in the guts of Drosophila for invasion, metastasis, and other phenotypes such as blockage of the intestinal tract. This study will also (b) investigate the impact of different pathway inhibitors as single or combination therapies on tumor size and metastasis. The results of this study will expand the discipline’s knowledge of CRC tumor characteristics, and metastasis to investigate the effects of new single or combination therapies on CRC.

    Publication Date

    4-23-2025

    Project Designation

    Honors Thesis

    Primary Advisor

    Dorian Borbonus, Madhuri Kango-Singh

    Primary Advisor's Department

    Biology

    Keywords

    Stander Symposium, College of Arts and Sciences

    Institutional Learning Goals

    Scholarship; Practical Wisdom

    Characterization of a Drosophila CRC 3-hit model using genetic approaches and impact of inhibitors on tumor growth

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