BME Master's Defense Announcement for John R. Anderson (L. Solorio and M. Wendt, co-advisors) Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 8:00 AM EST. Thesis Title: "Downregulation of FGFBP1 During Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition" Date: July 13, 2022 Time: 8:00 AM EST Location: Zoom* Topic: John Anderson's Masters Defense Time: Jul 13, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/95017718388 Thesis Committee: Luis Solorio, Co-Chair; Michael K. Wendt, Co-Chair; Craig J. Goergen Abstract: Breast cancer is a disease that impacts nearly one out of three women at some point in their life. Although the scientific community's understanding of breast cancer development is actively researched, there is still a low 5-year survival rate of 30% following distant metastasis compared to the near 100% localized survival rate. Many factors in a tumor microenvironment drive tumors to metastasize. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a known contributor to metastasis. Cells that undergo EMT shed cell-to-cell junctions and become fibroblastic like cells with differential extracellular matrix organization and increased mesenchymal gene expression. This change allows for greater cell motility and invasive potential, critical for metastasis. Our recent studies with single cell RNA sequencing demonstrate several distinct populations of epithelial and mesenchymal cells. Several components of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling are regulated during EMT. Fibroblast growth factor binding protein 1 (FGFBP1) is a known developmental factor that was observed to have low expression in mesenchymal cells, with an unknown role in breast cancer. This study utilizes immunoblotting, mRNA analyses, immunofluorescence staining and novel 3D culture platform to investigate the regulation FGFBP1 during EMT. FGFBP1 was consistently downregulated in HER2 transformed human mammary epithelial cells (HME2) during transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) induced EMT. Since FGFBP1 is known to act as a secretory chaperone protein, secretion rate analysis was conducted at time periods throughout EMT showing rapid downregulation of secretion. Characterization of FGFBP1 regulation during EMT could lead to greater understanding of EMT. *additional Zoom info: Meeting ID: 950 1771 8388 One tap mobile +13017158592,,95017718388# US (Washington DC) +13126266799,,95017718388# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 646 931 3860 US +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 444 9171 US +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 950 1771 8388 Find your local number: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/u/aewZ2rLalu