From the dance floor to the lab – one researcher’s connection to alcohol-decentring
From the growing trend of alcohol-decentred social activities to an RNA binding enzyme – Veronica DeJesus dances between work and play… The post From the dance floor to the lab – one researcher’s connection to alcohol-decentring appeared first on Cancer Research UK - Cancer News .
In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in alcohol-decentred social activities and spaces in the UK. This trend coincides with a decline in alcohol consumption and a growing awareness of the negative health effects associated with alcohol use. Alcohol is classified as a Type I carcinogen, meaning it has the highest risk of causing cancer in humans. Seven types of cancer, including mouth, breast, liver, and bowel cancers, can be attributed to alcohol consumption.
Veronica DeJesus, a post-doctoral researcher at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute (CRUKSI), runs the bar at an alcohol-free club night called Good Clean Fun (GCF) in Glasgow. The club was established by individuals in recovery seeking a place to connect without alcohol or drugs. People who attend GCF have various reasons for doing so, such as mental health concerns, medication use, family history of substance abuse, supporting a partner in recovery, preparing for athletic events, or experiencing a cancer scare.
Through her professional work, DeJesus studies RNA-binding enzymes and their role in gene regulation. She focuses on cap methyltransferase 1 (CMTR1), an enzyme that binds and modifies RNA. CMTR1 is expressed more frequently in numerous cancers, including breast, liver, and colorectal cancers. The enzyme plays a role in inflammation and increases the expression of proteins linked to cell growth and energy production.
DeJesus and her lab aim to understand and interrupt cancer cell growth by targeting RNA-modifying enzymes in cancer contexts and enhance cancer-targeting T-cell function.
While targeting biological mechanisms to develop cancer treatments is an exciting prospect, prevention remains crucial. Alcohol-free spaces like GCF provide people with an opportunity to socialize and relax without exposing themselves to cancer-causing agents. By encouraging lifestyle changes and promoting cancer prevention, these spaces contribute to a future where cancer prevention is as vital as the cures researchers, including DeJesus, strive to deliver.
Written by urgent.news from Cancer Research UK's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
