Cancer Biology Experimental Design Report

Cancer Biology Experimental Design Report

Contents
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................2
Experiments:..............................................................................................................................3
Identification of transformed cells: MTT assay.....................................................................3
Identification of cells showing protein expression: Annexin V staining assay......................3
Identification of nature of apoptotic properties: Flow Cytometry..........................................4
References:.................................................................................................................................5

Introduction:
The appearance of characteristic morphological features, and the occurrence of specific
energy dependant biochemical mechanisms which indicate towards the process of
programmed cell death, are referred to as apoptosis. It is responsible for a number of
biological functions such as normal cell turnover, appropriate development of the immune
system, development of embryo, hormonal atrophy, and chemically induced cell death
(Elmore 2007). This process also helps in maintaining tissue homeostasis, and forms normal
part of growth and development events. Also, appropriate apoptosis involves differential and
appropriate response of the different types of cells to physiological and pathological stimuli.
However, any disturbance in the homeostatic equilibrium could either result in unwarranted
cellular proliferation or atrophy characterized with faster cellular death (Hejmadi 2009).
Therefore, the dysfunction of the homeostatic pathways, often leads to terminal proliferation
and differentiation of cells, resulting in cancer. The development and progression of cancers
have often been attributed to the suppressed apoptotic mechanisms during carcinogenesis.
The tumour cells either acquire resistance to apoptotic pathways by the means of anti-
apoptotic proteins, or evade the immune surveillance (Fulda 2009). For example, the
uncontrolled expression of Bcl-2 gene results in failure of cell death, contributing to cancer.
However, apoptosis also presents therapeutic opportunities for cancer. The comprehension
and analysis of the cell cycle signalling pathways could help identify the possible mechanism
of cell cycle which could be exploited for arresting or controlling the cell cycle and apoptotic
mechanisms (Gerl & Vaux 2005). The table below shows the features of cells undergoing
apoptosis.
Morphological features Biochemical features Physiological significance
 Blebbing of membranes
 Chromatin aggregation
 Tightly regulated stepwise
activation of enzymatic
 Absent inflammatory