We investigate the mechanisms of cancer cell migration and invasion in the context of breast and pancreatic cancers with the aim to find new drug targets.

Our research group, led by Professor Johanna Ivaska, is particularly interested in understanding the role of integrins in cancer progression. Current projects focus on finding novel regulators of integrin activity, and endo/exosomal traffic, and on appreciating the mechanisms controlling tumour-stroma cross-talk, including how cancer cells sense key biophysical cues. In addition, we are using our expertise, combined with technological advances, to explore the role of integrin-mediated adhesions in stem cell pluripotency and differentiation, and in the maintenance of cancer stem cells.

Read more: https://ivaskalab.utu.fi/