Cancer Biology

The Cancer Biology portion of the site contains in-depth information about the structure and function of normal cells and cancer cells.  The changes that make normal cells turn into cancer cells are described.  Topics covered include:

Biological Building Blocks - Information on the molecules that are found in living things.  Includes proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids.

Cell Structure - Discusses the functional parts of cells called organelles.  Organelles covered include the nucleusPlural, nuclei. A subcellular organelle that contains the chromosomes. Present in eukaryotic cells, the nucleus is surrounded by the nuclear envelope. Within the nucleus is a region called the nucleolus in which the parts of ribosomes are constructed. The nuclear pores allow for the import and export of materials., ribosomes, mitochondria Mitochondria are subcellular organelles responsible for extracting the bulk of the energy we use from the food we eat. As a byproduct, oxygen radicals (reactive chemicals) are produced that may contribute to cancer formation by damaging DNA. A mitochondrion (the singular version of the word) is filled with inner membranes upon which the last stages of energy generation take place. and the cytoskeletonThe dense network of wire-like proteins that crisscrosses the cytoplasm of a cell. The cytoskeleton is responsible for giving a cell shape, anchoring organelles and allowing cellular movement and attachment.

The Cell Cycle - A look at the clock-like flow that cells go through when they are growing and dividing.

Cell Division - Covers the control of normal cell division and the defects seen in cancer cells.

GeneA stretch of DNA that leads to the production of an RNA. The RNA is produced during the process of transcription. This RNA can be used to guide the formation of a protein via translation or can be used directly in the cell. Function - Discusses the way genetic information is used in cells.

Mutation - Describes the types and causes of changes to genes (mutations) that can result in cancer.

Cancer Genes - Describes the types of genes (oncogenes and tumor suppressors) that are altered in cancer.  Some key examples are given for each type of gene.  Contains a section on microRNAs (miRNAs) and their role in cancer.

Cancer Epigenetics - Changes in DNAAbbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid. Composed of very long strings of nucleotides, which are abbreviated as A, C, G and T. DNA is the storage form of our genetic material. All of the instructions for the production of proteins are encoded in our DNA. can be subtle, but have huge impacts on the way cells behave.  Epigenetics is the study of these small but important changes.

Causes of Cancer - Includes details about the causes of cancer, including chemicals, radiationIn cancer biology: A cancer treatment in which high energy beams are used to kill cancer cells. Radiation can also cause genetic damage that can lead to cancer. As an example, skin cancer is believed to be greatly increased by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. and viruses

Cancer Development - Cancer progresses in a stepwise manner, often taking years to become detectable. Learn about that process here.

Cancer MetabolismThe sum of all reactions in a cell or animal. Processes that lead to the creation of biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids are termed anabolic pathways. Processes in which biomolecules are broken down, such as the digestion of foods, are termed catabolic. Metabolism is a term that encompasses both sets of processes. - All cells need energy and oxygen to survive. Cancer cells need a lot of energy to reproduce. Often, cancer cells don't get their energy the same way normal cells do, and this can impact their growth and their response to cancer treatments.

Cancer Cell Death (ApoptosisAlso called programmed cell death. Apoptosis is a natural process that occurs throughout the lives of almost all animals and plants. The death of the cells is a carefully controlled process that does not generate any inflammation.) - Most cancer drugs are designed to kill cancer cells. The death of cancer cells is a key step in stopping growth, and it happens in a very orderly fashion. 

AngiogenesisThe formation of blood vessels. This process is required for a tumor to grow past a small size since the blood delivers nutrients to the cells in the tumor mass. - Animations and text describe how tumors develop a blood supply.  Includes discussions of drugs that fight cancer by blocking this critical process.

Metastasis - The majority of cancer deaths are caused by the spread of the disease from its original location. This section covers the 'how' and 'why' of cancer spread.  Also covered are attempts to interfere with the process in cancer patients.

Tumor-Host Interactions - There are many interactions between different cells in a tumor.  This section covers some of the key cell types and the ways that they influence the growth of a tumor.

Microbiome - We are covered with (and full of) tiny organisms that influence our health for the better or worse. Learn about how these bacteriaA microscopic organism. Bacteria lack a nucleus. They are found in very large numbers in almost all locations, including the human body. While most bacteria are harmless or necessary, some can cause disease and death. influence cancer growth and treatment responses.

The Immune System - The immune system is involved in guarding our bodies against internal and external threats, including cancer.  Because of the important role of immune cells in preventing and possibly contributing to cancer, as well as the use of immune cells and products in treating cancer, the subject is treated here in detail.

Cancer in Domesticated Animals and Pets - Animals other than humans get cancer and this section examines a few types of cancer in dogs and cats.

Cancer in Wild Animals - For millions of years, wild animals have been getting cancer, including some strange ones that get spread when animals bite each other or mate.