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Investigating the origins of glioblastoma
Dr. Guerrero Cazares and his team in the Neurogenesis and Brain Tumors Laboratory are exploring the role of the neurogenic niche in the malignancy of glioblastoma and developing new ways to use human tissue to study cancer cell invasion. Focus areas include examining brain tumor initiating cells (BTICs), which are considered the cells of origin and recurrence in glioblastomas, and the migration of neural progenitor cells.
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Examining mechanisms of cell migration
Dr. Guerrero Cazares' Neurogenesis and Brain Tumors Laboratory at Mayo Clinic is investigating the migration of neural progenitor cells and the interaction of glioblastoma with the neurogenic niche.
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Brain tumor initiating cells (BTICs)
BTICs are a key element of research in the Neurogenesis and Brain Tumors Lab. BTICs are considered the cells of origin and recurrence of glioblastomas. They present many features similar to noncancerous stem cells, such as their ability to grow as spheres and give rise to multiple cell lineages (shown above). However, they also possess the ability to initiate tumor formation.
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In vivo models of tumor progression
The Neurogenesis and Brain Tumors Laboratory develops in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo models to understand the interaction of the human neurogenic niche and brain tumors.
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Research that saves lives
Dr. Guerrero Cazares' lab works with other Mayo Clinic researchers and collaborators worldwide to advance the understanding of neurogenesis and gliomas to combat this devastating disease.
Overview
The Mayo Clinic Neurogenesis and Brain Tumors Laboratory, under the direction of Hugo Guerrero Cazares, M.D., Ph.D., focuses on understanding the interaction of the human neurogenic niche and brain tumors. Specifically, Dr. Guerrero Cazares' research team conducts in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo studies on glioblastoma multiforme — the most common, aggressive and proliferative primary brain tumor in adults — and on the migration of neural progenitor cells in people.
Areas of interest
Specific areas of interest in the Neurogenesis and Brain Tumors Laboratory include:
- Understanding the role of cerebrospinal fluid on the invasiveness of brain tumor cells
- Studying the potential malignant transformation of human neural progenitor cells in proximity with brain tumors
- Studying the invasion of healthy brain by tumor cells ex vivo
Neurogenesis and Brain Tumors Laboratory
Affiliations
Dr. Guerrero Cazares' lab is affiliated with several Mayo Clinic research areas and programs:
About Dr. Guerrero Cazares
Hugo Guerrero Cazares, M.D., Ph.D., is an associate professor of neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Guerrero Cazares' research is focused on the study of brain tumor cell migration and the interaction of brain tumor cells with neural progenitor cells.
Dr. Guerrero Cazares obtained his medical and doctoral degrees from the University of Guadalajara in Mexico. He then continued his training as a fellow in the department of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.