Mammary fibroblasts are major constituents of mammary stroma, which regulate mammary epithelial morphogenesis and homeostasis. Deregulation of mammary fibroblast functions leads to developmental defects and pathologies, including breast cancer. However, regulation of mammary fibroblasts is poorly understood. Our latest, unpublished research uncovered mammary fibroblast heterogeneity and a potential role for WNT signaling in regulation of a critical fibroblast subpopulation, which might form an essential signaling niche of actively growing epithelium in developing mammary gland and be the source of new fibroblasts enwrapping nascent ducts. In this project, we aim to develop a toolkit for research on WNT signaling in mammary fibroblasts in vivo and to obtain strong preliminary data on the role of mammary fibroblasts’ WNT signaling in epithelial morphogenesis with the ultimate goal to build competitive applications to external funding agencies to support our research on this topic.

Sustainable Development Goals

Masaryk University is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to improve the conditions and quality of life on our planet by 2030.