Paddy Johnston

Cancer Research UK Drug Resistance Group
Oncology, Cancer Research Centre
Queen's University of Belfast
University Floor
Belfast City Hospital Tower
Belfast
BT9 7AB

Research Goals
Our current studies are aimed at defining the mechanisms of TS regulation and the downstream consequences of TS inhibition. We have developed several in vitro model systems to directly modulate the levels of TS within the cell through the use of both TS sense and antisense strategies. Our specific aims are:

1. To characterise the role played by TS in modulating resistance to TS inhibitors in the presence and absence of functional p53 and RB.

2. To define TS target genes and related signalling pathways.

3. To determine the role of TS and related novel biomarkers as prognostic and predictive markers of outcome to chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients