Project description
Molecular interplay in prostate cancer
For the development of new anti-cancer therapies, we need a better understanding of the genetic events that drive cancer onset. In this context, the EU-funded PSIPCancer project will investigate how three factors – the PSIP1 protein, posterior homeotic domain-containing transcription factors and the androgen receptor (AR) – affect transcriptional regulation in prostate cancer cells. Using a combination of genome editing, functional genomics and bioinformatics, researchers will investigate the interplay between these three factors and their effect on cancer-promoting transcriptional enhancers. Results will unveil cancer-specific transcriptional alterations associated with cancer progression and treatment resistance, bringing about significant advances in the field of oncology.
Objective
Understanding the cancer-specific genetic alterations is fundamental to devising novel treatment modalities. This project aims at understanding the role of PSIP1, posterior homeotic domain-containing transcription factors (HOX TFs) and androgen receptor (AR) in transcriptional regulation of prostate cancer cells. These transcriptional regulators are integral to the normal cell homeostasis and are dysregulated in various cancers. Through the preliminary data and analysis, this proposal recognises an interlink between these three factors and the ability of this trio in mediating a cancer-specific transcriptional alteration through activation of cancer-promoting transcriptional enhancers. Using a powerful combination of genome editing, functional genomics and bioinformatics, this proposal aims to discover altered transcriptional programme and its impact on cancer progression and treatment resistance. This project combines the expertise of the researcher in cancer biology with the competences of the host in epigenetics and functional genomics. This project will impart the talented researcher with comprehensive research training in chromatin biology and functional cancer genomics at an elite research Institute, in order to increase his prospects to become an independent research leader. The researcher will also profit from postdoctoral training opportunities in transferable skills available at the host's institution. Completion of the research and training objectives will significantly shape the development of the researcher into an independent leader, assign him a firm place in the European research network
Fields of science
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologyprostate cancer
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringgene therapy
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug resistance
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiologyhomeostasis
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsepigenetics
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
E1 4NS London
United Kingdom