The major aim of this project proposal is to investigate the role of c-Myb oncogene and Ruk/CIN85 adaptor protein in modulation of metastatic capacity of breast cancer cells. Expression levels of c-Myb and Ruk/CIN85 are associated with breast cancer progression. We will analyze the mechanisms how c-Myb and Ruk/CIN85 affect metastasis in a context of a tumor microenvironment. We will focus on tumor cell mobility, seeding and invasiveness in a tissue specific manner. The collaborative project will be performed in four different laboratories (Kiev, Brno, Lvov, Zürich), while major animal experiments will be performed in Zürich. The proposed project takes full advantage of the imaging infrastructure at the University Irchel campus, including laser scanning microscopy and live imaging set-up localized at ZMB core facility. Furthermore, the animal husbandry at the Physiology allows the performance of all experiments with immune-deficient mice required for human cancer cells. The proposed collaboration will allow annual visits of members from all three collaborating laboratories to Zürich, thereby enabling access to new techniques and promoting scientific exchange. The cornerstones of the project are amalgamation of modern experimental approaches with clinical experience in oncology and joint efforts of four collaborating European laboratories. We believe that these studies will shed new light on the mechanisms of signal transduction related to tumour cells metastasis and will be useful for developing new strategies to combat metastatic oncological diseases.

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