Immunofluorescence Staining and Cancer Research

Immunofluorescence utilizes the specificity of antibodies attached to fluorescent dyes to visualize parts of a cell. Immunofluorescence can be used to determine specific protein localization and abundance of various expressed genes in breast cancer cells. The lesson begins with an introduction about antibodies and the general application and procedure of immunofluorescence staining. Students will learn about how cancer cells differ from healthy cells and how this method of staining can help gain valuable information about cancer invasion. Students then complete an inquiry lab, utilizing immunostained images of various breast cancer cells grown on different environments. Students will work in lab groups and analyze images using ImageJ. After data is collected and analyzed, the lab group will draw conclusions of the differences between cells grown on 2D coverslips, versus 3D soft tissue, versus 3D stiff tissue. Students should look for patterns and focus on relative cell number, cell shape, and cell clustering. Students should recognize how the specificity of immunofluorescence staining allows for visualization of specific structures in the cell. After class lab discussion and lecture, students will understand how the extracellular matrix and cell environment plays an important role in cancer invasion and explain how immunofluorescence is used in cancer research.