Mammary gland differentiation and development

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Our cells are constantly being exposed to DNA damage from sources both internal to the cell and external. Internals sources include errors in DNA replication and also products of metabolism that can damage the DNA and cellular organs. The faster cells are required to reproduce the greater risk they are at for accumulating DNA damage. Our cells, particularly those that are responsible for development of an embryo or for development of a tissue or organ, the stem cells, must protect themselves and do so in three ways. They can pause in their reproduction, repair the DNA, or die. If these cells do not protect their genome, the cells of the organism or organ may be defective. A fourth fate is challenging our view, one in which a stem cell can specialize (differentiate), as one option to preserve the tissue. How the cellular response to DNA damage controls cell specialization is not known, but can help control how our cells responds to daily assaults of DNA damage. I intend to determine how a DNA damage response protein may also control the specialization of mammary gland cells, in particular, the milk-producing cells. It is possible the research may be applied to impact dairy practices in agriculture, or tissue regeneration research. Canada is known world-wide for its stem cell research, which has contributed to our economy.