Date of Submission
8-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology
Department
Biology and Environmental Sciences
Advisor
Anthony Melillo
Committee Member
Eva Sapi, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Nikolas Stasulli, Ph.D.
Keywords
Bacterial Transcriptomic Signatures, Breast Cancer Tissues, RNA-sequencing Data, Tumor Microenvironments
MeSH
Breast Neoplasms, Tumor Microenvironment, Bacterial Infections, Neoplasm Invasiveness
LCSH
Breast--Cancer--Research, Bacterial diseases, Cancer invasiveness
Abstract
Breast cancer remains a significant global health concern, with increasing evidence suggesting a link between bacterial infections and cancer progression. This study aims to identify bacterial transcriptomic signatures within breast cancer tissues using publicly available datasets. While previous work in our lab has extensively explored the role of Borrelia burgdorferi in cancer, this research broadens the focus to investigate the presence of various bacterial species across different breast cancer samples.
Employing advanced bioinformatics methodologies, including the STAR aligner and MetaPhlAn for metatranscriptomics analysis, we analyzed RNA-sequencing data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Our findings reveal diverse bacterial communities within breast cancer tissues, with significant variability in microbial species composition across project samples. Notably, species such as Paenibacillus sp., Cutibacterium acnes, Ralstonia insidiosa, Acinetobacter junii and Mycoplasmopsis hyorhinis were identified, suggesting that specific microbial populations may be associated with distinct tumor microenvironments.
These specific microbial profiles in breast cancer tissues may serve as a diagnostic tool, so differences in microbial communities could be used to distinguish between different subtypes of breast cancer or stages of disease progression. This study enhances our understanding of pathogen-cancer interactions. It provides a foundation for future research to uncover the mechanistic links between bacterial infections and breast cancer, potentially informing new therapeutic strategies.
Recommended Citation
Awosemo, Rasaq, "Identification of Bacterial Transcriptomic Signatures in Breast Cancer Tissues Using Publicly Available Datasets" (2024). Master's Theses. 212.
https://digitalcommons.newhaven.edu/masterstheses/212