National Antivisection Society
Current LDF research Winter 2011
Posted: 2 February 2012. Updated: 2 February 2012
3D breast cancer model
Dr Debbie Holliday’s project at the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine aims to validate two in vitro models of breast cancer; a 3-dimensional cell culture and a tissue slice model. These are being validated against published data on animal models to show that they are viable replacements. The first 6 months of the project, has resulted in:- The extension of the 3D cell model to include a new cell line and the incorporation of several primary cell populations into the 3D models as validation that the models are representative of human disease.
- Successfully cultured primary breast tumours in the tissue slice model. These have been treated with different doses of two breast cancer drugs.
- The team assessing the biological endpoints of the assays in different ways to compare the endpoints to animal data.
Pictured, A member of Dr. Holliday’s team working on our latest project, courtesy D. Holliday.
The Lord Dowding Fund receives no state aid - we are entirely reliant on donations from individuals like you. Please help us end the abuse of animals by donating today.
Find out more about Dr. Holliday’s LDF funded project
In vitro blood brain barrier (BBB) and brain tumour model
Professor Geoffrey Pilkington’s team, using a human in vitro BBB model, is investigating the role of several genes in the spread of cancer cells into the brain. The hypothesis is that genes in different types of cancers affect their propensity to cross the BBB. This research is important as 20-30% of cancers spread to the brain, adversely affecting the patient’s prognosis.Over the first six months of work, the team at the University of Portsmouth have prepared growing cultures of the component cells used in the 3D BBB model and have obtained a variety of cancer cell lines to use in the experiments, including skin cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer. These have been cultured, characterised and their gene expression is being identified.
Pictured, A member of Prof. Pilkington’s team working on our latest project, courtesy G. Pilkington.
The Lord Dowding Fund receives no state aid - we are entirely reliant on donations from individuals like you. Please help us end the abuse of animals by donating today.
Find out more about Prof. Pilkington’s LDF funded project
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