Virtual Commons - Bridgewater State University

Poster: Exploring Protein Synthesis as a Target for Anti-Cancer Drugs

Moakley Atrium

Cancer is a diverse group of diseases presenting themselves as uncontrolled tumor growth. Chemotherapy and radiation combat cancer by introducing extensive damage to the genetic blueprint (DNA) of rapidly dividing cells and thus killing them. DNA damage is inflicted to normal cells to much lesser extent resulting in therapy side effects and increased risk of cancer re-occurrence. Rapidly dividing cancer cells exhibit higher rates of protein synthesis, presenting an alternative target for anti-cancer drugs. Since proteins are major building blocks of living cells, inhibiting protein synthesis will cease cell growth and rapid division, thus slowing down/stopping cancer without damaging DNA. This project presents first steps in developing a screen for inhibitors of protein synthesis disrupting protein-protein interactions critical for the initiation of the process.