A proteomic approach to study cell migration during metastasis

Cells exhibit two opposite poles which direct vital actions. One of them is movement, which participates in metastasis in cancer. Dr. Maja Matis is exploring polarity by analyzing the proteins in fruit-fly cells. She aims to identify which proteins create polarity. It is likely that acting upon these proteins will impede migration and, in tumor cells, metastasis. Her findings may help identify which proteins are potential new targets for efficient and less toxic pharmaceutical treatments.