Thesis Defense Announcement
To: the George Mason Community

Elizabeth Nohelty
Master of Science in Biology
Molecular concentration

Date: Thursday November 12, 2009
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Place: Bull Run Hall, Rm 257
Prince William campus


Thesis Chair: Dr. Ancha Baranova, MMB Dept.

Title:   C6ORF173 as an Oncogene Crucial for the Progression of Breast Carcinoma
Abstract:
The genetic mechanism of the progression of breast carcinoma has been a major topic of research efforts. Previous studies identified C6ORF173 as part of the small expression signature differentiating aggressive breast carcinomas with poor prognoses from relatively indolent Grade 1 tumors. Here we present data correlating the enhanced expression of C6ORF173 with an increase in in vitro proliferation of both human breast epithelial cells and human breast carcinoma cells. We have also shown that overexpression of C6ORF173 leads to an increase in expression of another gene, FLJ11029 , contributing to the small expression signature, indicative of the role of C6ORF173 in the orchestration of breast carcinoma progression.  Since C6ORF173 contributes to the aggressive behavior of breast carcinoma tumors, it can be used in prognostic screens allowing further tailoring of chemotherapy treatment for this important malignancy.

A copy of the thesis is on reserve in the Johnson Center Library, Fairfax campus.  The thesis will not be read at the meeting, but should be read in advance.

All members of the George Mason University community are invited to attend.