Lipid Uptake in Obesity-Driven Breast Cancer

Molecular Biology

In the Hilgendorf Lab, we are interested in studying the impact of diet and obesity on breast cancer (BC). While body mass index is the main measure of obesity, it does not reflect all changes that occur in the body. Individual with obesity also have increased body fat, irregular hormones, and metabolic syndromes – but we do not which of these causes accelerated BC growth. We are particularly interested in investigating if hyperlipidemia (increased circulating fat) is the main contributor of accelerated tumor growth in obese individuals. Cells can get lipids either by making them from glucose or taking up fat from their surroundings. Because making lipid is more energy consuming and there is an abundance of circulating fat in obese individuals, we hypothesize that BC cells prefer to take up fat. Therefore, this project is first asking whether BC cells take up fat to fuel tumor growth, and next can we prevent tumor growth if we stop tumors from taking up fat or reduce dietary fat intake. Undergraduates looking to train in our lab will be exposed to variety of cell culture and mouse handling techniques. They will learn how to grow and maintain breast cancer cells, measure proliferation and lipid uptake using IncuCyte, and genetically modify lipid uptake genes using CRISPR-Cas9. Additionally, they will also be exposed to how mouse models are leveraged to study breast cancer. They will learn basic mouse handling, measure mouse metabolic features and tumor growth. Apart from lab skills, they will learn how to critically evaluate scientific publications, analyze data on PRISM, generate publication quality figures, and present in laboratory meetings. Learn more about our lab at https://www.hilgendorf.biochem.utah.edu/

Stream Leaders

Menusha Arumugam, Ph.D.
Post-doctoral Fellow