From shape to mishap: how proteins drive cancer

Since the mid-20th century, understanding the three-dimensional structures of large biological molecules, like proteins, has been central to designing targeted medicines. Traditionally, this required isolating the protein of interest and determining its structure using a range of specialised laboratory techniques.
Over the past decade, rapid advances in electron microscopy and machine learning have completely transformed this process. These technologies now allow us to see protein structures in incredible detail, even inside cells, accelerating discoveries and opening new doors for therapeutic innovation.

Ioanna is a Postdoctoral Training Fellow at the Institute of Cancer Research, where she investigates proteins that regulate cell growth, with a particular focus on their role in colorectal cancer. Her work aims to identify how these proteins shape and function, helping guide the development of new more effective cancer treatments.

To divide or not to divide, is an age-old question faced by every cell in our bodies. A decision that remains critical throughout our lifetimes and is fundamental to the development of cancer. Molecular-scale protein machines govern cellular fates, turning on or off the expression of around 1000 genes that are required for a cell to divide.

Jessica is a first-year PhD student at the Institute of Cancer Research and will be delving into how investigations into protein structure and function are crucial for future advances in cell division and cancer research.