March 23, 2016

Attempting to inhibit breast cancer proliferation

Hi everyone! My name is Alexandra Hauser-Kawaguchi and I’m a PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry at Western University. I work in Dr. Len Luyt’s lab at London Health Sciences Centre’s London Regional Cancer Program.

You may remember seeing my blog post last year.

Since then, I’ve continued to study the interactions between the mini-protein known as 7 kDa RHAMM and the molecules called peptide ligands. If we can discover a peptide that has better binding to 7 kDa RHAMM than the natural ligand, we can potentially inhibit the actions that lead to breast cancer proliferation.

It’s taken a while, but we’ve finally found that the best way to study these interactions is by using the technique called surface plasmon resonance, which studies the binding interactions in real time.

This past year has been an exciting one outside the lab as well. I presented my work at the Boulder Peptide Symposium in September, where I also learned about some interesting new techniques. I’ve already started using some of them in the lab … updates to come in my next blog post!

Thank you to BCSC for your trainee support!
– Alexandra Hauser-Kawaguchi, PhD candidate
Pamela Greenaway-Kohlmeier Translational Breast Cancer Research Unit, London Health Sciences Centre

Breast Cancer Canada Applauds Federal Commitment to Modernize Preventive Health Guidelines

Breast Cancer Canada proudly celebrates the federal government’s response to the External Expert Review (EER) of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, and

Queens Park: Breast Cancer Canada Calls on Ontarians

Self-Refer for Mammograms as Screening Age Lowers to 40 This pivotal change expands access to life-saving mammograms for millions of women in Ontario, empowering them

Cortney & Connie: Twin sisters carrying the BRCA2 Gene

This year alone, more than 30,000 Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer. My journey began in 2015, when I was just 29

Manitoba removing barriers for breast screening

Manitoba is taking a significant step forward in breast cancer care with a new plan to lower the age for self-referral mammogram screenings. Currently, women

Progress Through Research

Latest Research

Breast Cancer Canada donations fund life-saving research that directly impacts Canadian patients. That means better answers, bigger breakthroughs – and more personalized treatment for every breast cancer diagnosis.

Patient Tools

Our suite of digital tools are each designed to help individuals better manage their breast cancer journey through education, research and personalized insights, while also elevating the patient voice.

Patient Stories

Every breast cancer journey is unique, but together, these stories paint a powerful picture of progress. Through firsthand accounts from patients and survivors, we share stories that highlight the lived-experiences of breast cancer.

Fuel Progress

Progress happens when we invest in it. Canada is home to some of the world’s brightest minds in research. Together, we are advancing science, ensuring it leads to earlier detection, better treatments, and improved outcomes for patients across the country.