Lecture by Dr Kate Hughes (University of Cambridge)

Mammary gland biology and pathology: A treasure trove of research opportunities for scientists and vets

Summary:

The mammary gland undergoes a striking degree of postnatal development, with epithelial proliferation, and later remodelling, occurring in parallel with pregnancy, lactation, and subsequent post-lactational involution. Remarkably, this cycle of development and regression can occur many times with successive pregnancies. The mammary gland is susceptible to both inflammation (mastitis) and tumourigenesis, and these pathological processes may intersect with the gland’s postnatal developmental cycle. This makes both mammary biology and pathology fascinating topics for scientists, medics, and vets to study. In this talk I will explore some interesting facets of mammary gland biology and pathology. We will discuss mastitis in ruminants and mammary tumour formation in domestic species and we will examine some key unanswered questions that provide interesting research challenges.

About the speaker:

Dr Kate Hughes is a senior lecturer in Veterinary Anatomic Pathology, University of Cambridge, UK. 

Kate graduated from the University of Liverpool with a BVSc awarded with distinction and a first class intercalated BSc (Hons). Prior to undertaking a residency in veterinary anatomic pathology at the University of Cambridge she worked as a clinical veterinarian. During her Wellcome Trust Research Training Fellowship (PhD studies) Kate was awarded the Royal College of Pathologists gold research medal. Kate is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists, a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, and a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Specialist in Veterinary Pathology. She is currently a Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Anatomic Pathology at the University of Cambridge.