Studies on the relationship between p53, cancer and ageing

Cell integrity is crucial to our health. When a cell detects damage, it can either repair it and go on dividing, or stop cycling and it will age or die. Unfortunately, sometimes, the cell starts to divide unpredictably and can become cancerous. Ignacio López Ferreira is investigating the role of the p53 protein in the way cells analyze damage and trigger a suitable and sufficient response to manage the type and level of damage. These studies could help unravel how cancer and aging are related.