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A biologist and a mathematician unite for cancer research

Dr. Shailly Varma Shrivastav, © UWinnipeg

Dr. Shailly Varma Shrivastav, © UWinnipeg

UWinnipeg biologist Dr. Shailly Varma Shrivastav and UManitoba mathematician Dr. Stéphanie Portet with their team, have been working together on novel regulatory aspects of proteins involved in cancer. They are trying to develop mathematical models based on biological data to find the best way to treat cancer patients. Their findings are now published in the prestigious Scientific Reports, Nature Publication house.

Inputs to cell surface can regulate molecules inside the cells to cause them to divide indefinitely, which is a hallmark of cancer. In this study the team determined for the first time the novel regulatory relationship between two such molecules inside the cell using experimental data and mathematical modelling.

The long-term goal of the research is to develop robust mathematical models based on the biological data that can help oncologists in designing treatment protocol for cancer patients.

Scientific Reports is an online, open access journal from the publishers of Nature. The journal publishes scientifically valid primary research from all areas of the natural and clinical sciences.

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