Alumni Magazine - Spring 2008 - (Page 10)

biological sciences • business and economics RESEARCH biological sciences KOMEN FUNDS CANCER RESEARCH Breast and ovarian cancers dramatically impact the lives of affected women, but the underlying causes remain obscured. Thanks to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, one Lehigh professor’s research may help change that. Robert Skibbens, associate professor of biological sciences, was recently named a recipient of a two-year research grant from Susan G. Komen for the Cure, one of the nation’s largest private funding sources focused on breast health and breast cancer. The organization funds research projects that have great potential to change the way breast cancer is diagnosed, treated, understood, and survived. “I am very excited that research in the department of biological sciences has been chosen for support by Susan G. Komen for the Cure, whose promise is ‘to save lives and end breast cancer forever,’” says Jeffrey Sands, professor and department chair. “It’s a strong testimony to the quality and signiﬁcance of Bob Skibbens’ research program that his work using yeast has been chosen for funding by the premier foundation aimed at ending breast cancer.” Prior to cell division, each chromosome is replicated to produce two identical sister chromatids. When the cell divides, each daughter cell receives one of the two sister chromatids, which allows the cell to create an exact genetic copy of the parent cell. Errors in chromosome segregation could result in cells with an abnormal number of chromosomes—either too few or too many. Known as aneuploids, these abnormalities can become cancerous. Skibbens’ work focuses primarily on the process by which chromosomes become improperly segregated during cell division. “Those mis-segregated chromosomes are hallmarks of tumorigenic cells,” says Skibbens, whose work on the grant began in September. 10 lehigh alumni bulletin Skibbens’ lab studies the process by which sister chromatids are first paired together early in the cell cycle. His current research involves a newly discovered protein, Ctf7p, which is required to establish sister chromatid cohesion during DNA replication. This protein is needed to “glue” the two sister chromatids together. By using genetic and biochemical methods to identify other proteins that A mitotic lung cell in the process of chromosome segregation. Chromosomes (blue) capture and then move along microtubules (red) that eminteract with Ctf7p, his lab anate from spindle poles to segregate into newly forming daughter cells. gains insight into how new In this cell, aberrant spindle pole formation resulted in chromosome mutations result in im- misorientation and improper chromosome segregation. Chromosomal proper pairing and random aneuploidy is a hallmark of tumorigenic cells. segregation to produce aneuploid cells. His lab uses budding yeast as a model or“With this grant we are able to take a fairly ganism. Since the entire sequence is known and new direction for the lab, but it’s predicated on mutations are readily generated, yeast allows work we’ve done in the past,” says Skibbens, Skibbens’ lab to understand how cohesion prowhose students at both graduate and underteins interact in a cell system that can be graduate levels will have the opportunity to quickly applied to studies in human cells. contribute to the ongoing research. “The proteins that drive the functions in “Bob has made several fundamental discovyeast also drive them in human cells,” eries in the ﬁeld of cell division biology. He has Skibbens says, noting that the opportunity to identiﬁed genes that are crucial for the ﬁdelity ﬁrst gain answers from the yeast before movof chromosome transmission and he has estabing to human cells was likely one of the areas lished a link between chromosome cohesion of interest to the Komen Foundation. and cancer,” Sands adds. “The Komen grant “This really is basic science, driven from will allow Bob to extend these studies in ways asking questions. But some of the answers here that may have a direct impact down the road are much more clinically relevant. We’re, of on the treatment and prevention of breast and course, very excited about it.” —Tricia Long other types of cancer.” COURTESY OF R. V. SKIBBENS AND E. D. SALMON

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Alumni Magazine - Spring 2008 Contents From the President's Desk Mailbox On Campus Research Arts & Culture Sports Alumni News Cover Story: In Galileo's Wake Technically Funny The Healing Game Looking for America The Last Word

Alumni Magazine - Spring 2008

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