Research:

Cdc42 is a small Rho-GTPase that has been shown to be upregulated in human breast cancers, but the details of how it functions in this role are not fully known. Genes that play a role in breast cancer are often also important in normal mammary gland development. My research involves investigating the function of Cdc42 and the mechanisms by which it controls normal mammary gland development. I am currently using a CDC42 loss of function (Cre-lox) mouse model to research this question. I also plan to use a Cdc42 overexpression mouse model to investigate the mechanisms by which Cdc42 contributes to breast cancer. I will be doing my research with both in vivo mouse models and in vitro 3D culture systems.

Joined the lab: Fall, 2008
Position: Graduate Student
Degree: B.S. Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University
Degree Seeking: M.S. Biology, University of Notre Dame Contact: kristibray@gmail.com