Smrati Bhadauria, Ph.D.
Sr Principal Scientist, Division Of Toxicology & Experimental Medicine
Cancer Progression and Metastasis: A role of Tumor
Microenviroment and ensuing signaling network
Our main research interest focuses on understanding the regulation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling in mammalian cells. mTOR exists in two distinct complexes mTORC1 and mTORC2 and coordinates essential processes within our cells, i.e., cell cycle progression, protein synthesis, gene expression, autophagy (breakdown of cellular protein), and nutrient uptake. Aberrant mTOR signalling within cells contributes to the pathology of many human diseases that cause cancer. We are also interested understanding the role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in cancer development. TAMs, a macrophage population recruited and educated by tumor cells, are closely related to the M2 type machrophages. In the tumor microenvironment, TAMs promote epithelial outgrowth and invasion, which are common features of development and cancer.