Objective Paediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (pALL) still accounts for most cancer-related deaths in children. Although high hyperdiploidy (HHD) is the most frequent pattern, its pathomechanism remains poorly understood. Recently, Experienced Researcher (ER) et al showed that sequential chromosomal gains and chromosomal instability (CIN) are critical features in HHD-pALL evolvement. The most common cause of CIN is centrosome amplification (CA) and recent findings indicate that inhibiting centrosome clustering (mechanism by which tumour cells control CA to retain viability) is a promising therapeutic avenue. Opposed to most solid and hematologic malignancies, the role of CA in HHDpALL has not been clarified thus far. Primary goal of ER is to illuminate this issue, which is expected to result in new diagnostic- and screening methodologies, as well as novel therapeutics. ER will join a leading group in the field of ‘cancer associated centrosome abnormalities’ (headed by Professor Alwin Krämer), in one of Europe’s largest cancer research institutes (DKFZ, Germany), applying state-of the art technologies in genomics and functional cell biology. Centrosomes are mostly visualized by immunocytochemistry, but precise evaluation is error prone and featured with inter-personal/-laboratory variance. A diagnostic and high-throughput screening methodology thus is highly desirable. Accordingly, second aim is to develop a novel automated fluorescence light microscopy (aFLM) application for centrosome analysis, building on ER's previous experience, but in a cross-sector collaboration with a non-academic world leader in image analysis (MetaSystems, Germany). To gain ultrastructural information as well, ER will also align aFLM with scanning electron microscopy for the first time, in collaboration with the Schwab Group (EMBL, Germany) creating high-capacity correlative light electron microscopy (hcCLEM). Commercial potentials of above original developments will also be investigated. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsnatural sciencesbiological sciencescell biologynatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopyelectron microscopymedical and health sciencesclinical medicinepaediatricsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologyleukemia Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2017 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2017 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator DEUTSCHES KREBSFORSCHUNGSZENTRUM HEIDELBERG Net EU contribution € 171 460,80 Address IM NEUENHEIMER FELD 280 69120 Heidelberg Germany See on map Region Baden-Württemberg Karlsruhe Heidelberg, Stadtkreis Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 171 460,80