Noted molecular cell biologist Professor Sima Lev is working to better understand how to treat triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). This form of breast cancer primarily affects young women and has no known cure. She is approaching the challenge of finding the best therapeutic targets and therapies for TNBC with over 20 years of research experience.

Prof. Sima Lev began by focusing on cell signaling and membrane trafficking. In fact, her interest in cancer biology was evident during her postdoctoral training at New York University Medical Center and SUGEN, Inc. During this time Prof. Sima Lev isolated an enzyme which plays a key role in cell signaling and enhances the growth and progression of several human cancers.

This work led to further research in phosphatidylinositol (PI)-transfer proteins, signaling by tyrosine kinase PYK2 in cancer cells, and learning about TNBC progression. Through her investigationsin these areas, she discovered new information about membrane trafficking and cell signaling in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.

Currently, she and her team are working to identify the signaling pathways that determine the course of TNBC. This research aims to prevent the progression of TNBC and give new hope for this diagnosis.