Objective We have found that the ablation of Chk1, a serine-threonine kinase that is activated after DNA damage, strongly reduced the formation of chemically (DMBA/TPA) induced skin tumours, thus suggesting a role of this protein in hair follicle stem cells population, from which tumours are thought to arise. We have observed that deletion of Chk1 causes cell proliferation, DNA damage, and apoptosis within the hair follicle, however the populations affected and the order of events in individual cells have not been clearly defined. I hypothesise that Chk1 deletion causes stem cells to enter an aberrant cell cycle which creates DNA damage during replication and consequently leads to cell death. The purpose of this project is to investigate how Chk1 deletion affects the quiescence, proliferation, and survival of hair follicle stem cells, and to use an in vivo chemical genetic approach to determine whether these processes can be manipulated pharmacologically. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsmedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologycells technologiesstem cells Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator BEATSON INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH LBG EU contribution € 173 240,80 Address SWITCHBACK ROAD GARSCUBE ESTATE G61 1BD Bearsden United Kingdom See on map Region Scotland West Central Scotland East Dunbartonshire Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact David Gillespie (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data