Supervisor:
Program of Study:
MSc, Pathology
Project Title:
Characterizing genetic and epigenetic changes in patient-derived lung organoids exposed to environmental
carcinogens
Lay Research Summary:
Lung cancer is the most common cancer in Canada. It has a high death rate since it is often discovered in
late stages. Early detection can decrease death rates, but it is largely dependent on a person’s smoking
history. About 20% of lung cancers occur in non-smokers so it is important to explore other methods of
early detection in non-smokers. Non-smoking risk factors include environmental exposures from air
pollution and wood smoke. Our goal is to better understand how environmental exposures contribute to
lung cancer risk. To do this we will grow normal and cancerous lung cell tissue and see what effect
environmental carcinogens like the toxic metal arsenic (in water) and air pollution have on these tissues.
The results of these studies will help us to better understand how carcinogens common in our
environment contribute to lung cancer risk. This critical information can then be used to determine which
people may most benefit from early lung cancer screening, particularly in non-smokers.
Location:
Dalhousie University