What can Australian lizards tell us about the evolution of cancer and live birth?
Bridget’s research explores the evolution of cancer and live birth, through a cancer protein found in a live-bearing Australian lizard. Biologists hypothesise that there may be an evolutionary connection between live-birth and cancer susceptibility in animals, and Bridget has found a new link between the two by discovering a potent cancer protein in nature which has previously only been found in laboratory grown cells. “My discovery of the cancer protein – vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF111 – in the uterus of an Australian lizard provides a new link between the evolution of live birth and cancer in animals,” explained Bridget. “Cancer cells and embryos employ similar strategies to ensure survival in their host (or mother!). Both must avoid immunological rejection by ‘hiding’ from the host’s immune system, and both develop an extensive network of blood vessels to get oxygen and nutrients for growth,” said Bridget. “Scientists propose that cancers may be using the molecular machi
