Fat body cells in  cancer 

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In addition to studying wound healing, we are also investigating the roles that fat body cells play in regulating cancer growth. 

 

Wound healing and cancer share many common features and adipocytes are known to play important roles in both processes. Even though there is a clear link between obesity and an increased risk of cancer, the mechanisms by which adipocytes influence cancer progression remain largely elusive.

 

Studies in flies have shown that hemocytes are recruited to tumours and induce fat body cells to counter tumor growth. However, it remains unknown how fat body cells and hemocytes interact with tumours to carry out this anti-tumour function. 

 

We use live imaging and genetic experiments to study this regulation of cancer growth by fat body cells.