University Hosts Lecture on Breast Cancer Research

On October 25, 2017, The Faculty of Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Professions at Birzeit University hosted a lecture detailing the role of hormones in breast cancer. The lecture, titled “Role of Androgens in MicroRNA Expression in Triple Negative Breast Cancer,” was delivered by professor of Molecular Biology and Member of Biodiversity & Environmental Research Center (BERC), Dr. Nihad Al-Othman, on the university campus.

Dr. Al-Othman detailed his recent research into the effects of dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, on the expression profile of microRNA molecules – molecules that control the expression of most human protein-coding genes – and the CD-44 cell adhesion molecules, which are responsible for mediating communication and adhesion between adjacent cells.

The lecture, delivered in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, was attended by students and faculty from the Faculty of Pharmacy and other institutes and faculties throughout the university. Dr. Al-Othman, at the end of his presentation, allowed time for Q&A, discussions of his research methodology and findings, and a foray into the current breakthroughs in cancer research and its future direction.