Vargo-Gogola Lab

p190B RhoGAP is an essential gene that was identified in a screen for genes that are preferentially expressed in the terminal end buds (TEBs) of the developing mammary gland. TEBs are the centers of proliferation and differentiation that drive outgrowth of the ductal epithelium to produce a mature mammary ductal tree. Using p190B deficient mice ...

Cdc42 is a member of the small Rho-GTPase family and is known to be involved in a variety of cellular functions, including division, migration, adhesion, apoptosis, and others. We are studying the role of Cdc42 in both normal mammary gland development and breast cancer. Using 3D culture of mammary epithelial cells...

The stromal microenvironment of the mammary gland has been shown to interact with developing epithelial structures, both in the developing gland and in tumor formation. Fibroblasts, growth factors, and extracellular matrix may all be important regulators of development and cancer as they interact with the mammary epithelial cells. Using 3D culture and conditional knockdown mice...