SIU Med School gets grant to study breast cancer

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- A scientist at Southern Illinois University's School of Medicine has been awarded a three-year federal grant from the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program.

The $547,000 grant will fund research by Deliang Cao, associate professor of medical microbiology, immunology and cell biology.

The research focuses on a particular protein to determine whether it can be used as a biomarker for breast cancer.

The study also will examine cell and animal tumor models to determine the role of the protein in lipid metabolism of breast cancer cells.

The results may lead to the development of new prevention and treatment options.

On the Net

* Southern Illinois University's School of Medicine: www.siumed.edu/cancer/