Major Scientific Incidents And Breakthroughs

NUIG scientists make breakthrough in breast cancer research!

  Scientists at NUI Galway have discovered a new class of genes which could help to suppress tumour growth of breast cancer cells.

This groundbreaking research was led by Professor Charles Spillane of NUI Galway’s Genetics and Biotechnology Lab and Professor Michael J Kerin of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute, Galway, who discovered a new genetic control system implicated in breast cancer.

Both research labs are collaborating to investigate a new class of genes called microRNAs which produce small RNA molecules that can switch off other genes in normal and cancer cells. Professor Spillane explains: “There are over 1,500 different types of these small microRNA genes identified so far in human cells and it is a major scientific challenge for us to understand which ones can make the difference between a normal and a cancer cell.”

Professor Kerin highlighted that “Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer worldwide in women and while treatments and outcome are improving there is a compelling need for continued research into its cause and treatment. About 2,700 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in Ireland each year. Advances in cancer biosciences research provide the basis for earlier diagnosis and new treatment regimes for breast cancer.”

The research findings have been published in the latest issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, which is considered the seventh most important scientific journal worldwide by the Eigenfactor ranking system. The research was funded by the Irish Cancer Society, the Health Research Board, and the National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI) in Galway.

  When i read this article i felt excited for the unfortunate people around the world that has attained breast cancer. Through the hardwork of the scientist in Galway , there will be new ways to reduce the cases of Breast cancer and new treatments to help those who have breast cancer. This is indeed a huge step in the medical industry. I wish the doctors and scientist that are working on this good luck and hope sincerely that the breast cancer patients will benefit as soon as possible from this breakthrough.