Prof Alison Lloyd

Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology
University College London
London

Breaking the rules: how nerve-protecting cells grow out of control

Professor Alison Lloyd, based at University College London, is studying schwannoma - a cancer affecting Schwann cells, which surround and protect our nerve cells. Professor Lloyd and her team are finding out more about how Schwann cells grow out of control, leading to cancer.

The researchers are investigating how Schwann cells reproduce themselves to make new cells - this allows them to repair nerve damage. To do this, the cells need to lose some of their special characteristics and become simple 'starter' or 'progenitor' cells. Schwann cells interacting with nerve fibres (in red). Credit: Prof Alison Lloyd Once the progenitor cells have finished copying themselves they return to their normal state. But in cancer the progenitor cells don't turn back into normal Schwann cells. Instead, they grow into a tumour.

Professor Lloyd is studying the signals that determine how Schwann cells switch their characteristics, and how this process goes out of control in cancer. Her research will shed light on how schwannomas and other types of tumour develop, and will give clues for new ways to prevent and treat these diseases in the future.