Dr Patricia Muller

Biography	In our lab we investigate how mutations in the p53 protein as well as the cellular microenvironment affect p53 function. We discovered that many mutations result in the expression of mutant proteins that drive invasion, metastasis and chemoresistance. However, a big conundrum in the field is that p53 is not mutated at just a few residues. You can find almost any amino acid within p53 mutated in cancers. Many researchers have tried to characterise these mutants and correlate groups of mutants to phenotypic changes, but without much success. We therefore postulate that the microenvironment surrounding tumours cells can affect p53 function and contribute to how tumourigenic p53 mutations are. Main lines of research in our lab: 1. Understanding of the role and regulation of Rab11FIP1 downstream of mutant p53 (Matt Morrison) 2. Understanding to what extent cell engulfment contributes to tumour formation in mutant p53 expressing tumours (Lobsang Dolma) 3. Understanding how metals and the use of chelators affect p53 function (Hannah Richards, Steven Bell). This project is funded by Pleco Therapeutics and is a collaboration with Will Britain (Durham Chemistry Department).

Biography

In our lab we investigate how mutations in the p53 protein as well as the cellular microenvironment affect p53 function. We discovered that many mutations result in the expression of mutant proteins that drive invasion, metastasis and chemoresistance. However, a big conundrum in the field is that p53 is not mutated at just a few residues. You can find almost any amino acid within p53 mutated in cancers. Many researchers have tried to characterise these mutants and correlate groups of mutants to phenotypic changes, but without much success. We therefore postulate that the microenvironment surrounding tumours cells can affect p53 function and contribute to how tumourigenic p53 mutations are.

Main lines of research in our lab:
1. Understanding of the role and regulation of Rab11FIP1 downstream of mutant p53 (Matt Morrison)
2. Understanding to what extent cell engulfment contributes to tumour formation in mutant p53 expressing tumours (Lobsang Dolma)
3. Understanding how metals and the use of chelators affect p53 function (Hannah Richards, Steven Bell). This project is funded by Pleco Therapeutics and is a collaboration with Will Britain (Durham Chemistry Department).