Ruth J Muschel M.D. Ph.D.
CRUK/MRC Professor of Molecular Pathology
Mechanisms of Metastasis
Research group interested in the mechanisms underlying the development of metastasis.
Research Themes
Divisional Themes
- Cancer and Haematology
- Imaging
Group Members
- Lukxmi Balathasan, DPhil Student
- YunHong Cao
- Spela Ferjancic, DPhil Student
- Emmanouil Fokas, CRF, DPhil Student
- Annamaria Gal
- Ana Maria Gil Bernabe
- Sally Hill
- JaeHong Im
- Cat Kelly
- Stanley Liu
- Chad McKee
- Stavros Melemendis, DPhil Student
- Laura Phipps, DPhil Student
- Thomas Tapmeier
- Danmei Xu
- Sabira Yameen
- Lei Zhao, China Fellow, CRUK
Selected Bibliography
- Ding Yunchuan, Xu Danmei, Feng Gang, Bushell Andrew, Muschel Ruth J, and Wood Kathryn J (2009) Mesenchymal stem cells prevent the rejection of fully allogenic islet grafts by the immunosuppressive activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9. Diabetes, 58(8):1797-806.
- Qayum Naseer, Muschel Ruth J, Im Jae H, Balathasan Lukxmi, Koch Cameron J, Patel Sonal, McKenna W G, and Bernhard Eric J (2009) Tumor vascular changes mediated by inhibition of oncogenic signaling. Cancer Res, 69(15):6347-54.
- Huang Haomin, Fletcher Lynda, Beeharry Neil, Daniel Rene, Kao Gary, Yen Tim J, and Muschel Ruth J (2008) Abnormal cytokinesis after X-irradiation in tumor cells that override the G2 DNA damage checkpoint. Cancer Res, 68(10):3724-32.
- Muschel Ruth J and Gal Annamaria (2008) Tetraspanin in oncogenic epithelial-mesenchymal transition. J Clin Invest, 118(4):1347-50.
- O'Donnell Rebekah K, Mick Rosemarie, Feldman Michael, Hino Satoshi, Wang Yan, Brose Marcia S, and Muschel Ruth J (2007) Distribution of dendritic cell subtypes in primary oral squamous cell carcinoma is inconsistent with a functional response. Cancer Lett, 255(1):145-52.
| ruth.muschel@rob.ox.ac.uk | |
| Tel | +44(0)1865 225847 |
| PA | Anne-Marie Honeyman-Tafa |
| Email (PA) | anne-marie.honeyman-tafa@rob.ox.ac.uk |
| Tel (PA) | +44(0) 1865 225209 |
Prof Ruth J Muschel
Despite surgery and/or radiation, many cancer patients, who appear to have localised disease, go on to develop distant metastases. My research group is interested in the mechanisms underlying the development of metastasis.
We have used fluorescent microscopy to define the process of metastasis in the lung, finding adhesion of the tumour cells to the pulmonary blood vessels followed by spreading on the vasculature surface. Surviving cells give rise to early colonies formed within the blood vessels.
Some outstanding questions which we would like to answer are:
- What mechanisms do tumour cells use to arrest and survive at different metastatic organs?
- How do tumor cells interact with the host vasculature during metastasis?
- What are the mechanisms of metastasis to different organs, particularly the liver?
- What are the mechanisms leading to enhanced tumour cell survival or resistance to apoptosis at distant sites?
- What distinguishes metastatic from non-metastatic cells?
- Why does irradiation of the lung result in increased metastasis to the irradiated tissue?
- Why does irradiation of some tumours or hypoxia result in increased metastasis?
Biography
Awards Training and Qualifications
- 1978 M.D. Ph.D., Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York
- 1972 B.A., Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
