Regulation of cancer cell growth involves activation of genes (oncogenes) that promote cell division and survival and the inactivation of other genes (tumour suppressors) that negatively regulate these critical cellular processes. The major focus of this CRS proposal is to evaluate the role of Akt family of oncogenes in the induction of breast cancer. The first specific objective of the proposal will investigate whether activation of signaling molecules known as microRNAs by Akt family will modulate mammary tumour progression. The second objective of the proposal will evaluate the role of Akt-3 in ErbB2 mammary tumour progression. The results of these studies will have important impact in the understanding the molecular basis of this poorly understood and prevalent disease.