RNAi Global Initiative - Hutchison/MRC Research Centre

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University of Cambridge Hutchison/MRC Research Centre

	Ashok Venkitaraman

	Ashok Venkitaraman holds the Ursula Zoellner Professorship of Cancer Research in the University of Cambridge's Cancer Research UK Department of Oncology, and is Deputy Director of the Medical Research Council's Cancer Cell Unit. Ashok's primary research interest is in the role played by genetic instability in carcinogenesis and cancer treatment. His research group investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying instability of chromosome structure and number in cancer cells (see Figure at right), with a view to improving understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of cancer. Ashok is an elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, London, and an elected Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization, Heidelberg. For more information, visit the Venkitaraman Lab page Back to University of Cambridge	AURORA-A over-expression, which occurs in 30-50% of common cancers, over-rides the mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint mediated by MAD2, allowing anaphase entry with lagging chromosomes. Aurora-A over-expressing cells (right) or control cells (left) in prometaphase (top) or anaphase (bottom). DNA is stained red and MAD2, green.