Professor Anna Maria Teti, Bone Biopathology Group, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of L'Aquila, ITALY

The Bone Biopathology Group led by Professor Anna Teti has three senior staff and 7 fellows and PhD students at University of L'Aquila. The group also has links with clinics at the university hospital there. Two associate collaborators are in charge for patient care at the hospital. The research interest is focussed on cell biology, molecular biology and cellular pathology of bone cells. The group was one of the first to culture osteoclast cell lines.

Since 1995, the group has investigated cellular and molecular aspects of cancer-induced bone diseases, including primary bone tumours and bone metastases More recently, Professor Teti dedicated a large part of her research to the role of alphaVbeta3 and c-Src in bone cell differentiation, and developed studies focused on the relevance of these signals in breast cancer cells and in the induction of osteoclast formation and stimulation of bone resorption by tumours with bone metastatic propensity. The research team has the expertise to perform in vitro and in vivo studies dedicated at the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of preferential homing of breast cancer metastases to bone, and has access to material from patients through its tight collaboration with the Oncology unit of the Department of Experimental Medicine associated to this project.

The project management is supported by Michael Baldwin, an experienced research project manager. His company Engedi Science Ltd (http://www.engedi.co.uk), an independent small consultancy, provides proposal development and project management services, mainly within the EU Framework programmes.

Activities in MetaBre: coordination and scientific leadership, collection of tissue samples, gene profiling related to bone metastases, investigation of organ-tumour cell interactions in bone, in-vivo testing of therapies and clinical trials of diagnostic techniques.