Professor Maciej Ugorski, Department of Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, POLAND

The research group of Professor Maciej Ugorski, Head of the Department of Biochemistry at Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences is researching the structure and function of glycoproteins and glycolipids in tumour cells and their contribution to the expression of malignant phenotype in human disease. Professor Ugorksi also holds a position at the Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Wroclaw.

The work has concentrated mainly on metastatic processes in breast, colorectal and bladder cancers, investigating the role of cell adhesion molecules interacting with endothelium and leading to organ specific metastases. The focus has been on the sialyl Lewis A ligand present on tumour cells that interacts with E-selectin present on endothelial cells. A range of molecular and cell biology techniques have been employed to understand the function of cell surface molecules, particularly the antisense RNA approach. The group is now moving to use gene silencing based on small interfering RNAs that will be much more powerful.

In MetaBre, WUELS will focus on the interaction of cancer cells with vascular endothelium, and investigate the role of Sialyl Lewis antigens and other molecules/ligands in the binding of cancer cells to E- and P-selectin. The results will be applicable to all sites of metastases. An orthotopic model will be available for comparative studies by other partners. The location of the Ugorski group in the Veterinary School offers interesting possibilities of technology transfer of the results of MetaBre to veterinary medicine, where increasingly breast carcinomas are being successfully treated.

Activities in MetaBre: mechanisms of cell invasion and adhesion: carbohydrate antigens