Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Evomet (Deconstructing the evolution of metastasis)
Période du rapport: 2021-03-01 au 2023-02-28
Cancer incidence is growing alarmingly, with currently more than 3,5 million people affected by it in Europe. Metastasis causes the vast majority of cancer-related deaths. It is usually resistant to conventional therapies and can lead to the failure of vital organs. Additionally, research on the evolution of metastases, from their establishment to treatment resistance, has so far been limited.
Evomet is an Innovative Training Network which aims at unraveling how metastases work. It uses a multidisciplinary array of training initiatives and techniques that integrate cutting-edge genomic, single-cell omics, and in vivo validation strategies. Evomet’s function-centric approach to studying the metastasis process can potentially change how cancer metastasis is understood and reveal actionable therapeutic targets.
More specifically, Evomet aims to:
- Identify the founding cell clones that evolve throughout metastatic dissemination and treatment resistance as well as their molecular portraits to achieve a holistic understanding of metastatic cell fates
- Dissect the mechanisms of tumour-stroma interaction in metastasis
- Understand cancer cells’ evolution from latency towards overt metastases
- Identify initial cellular populations, their potential interconversions and plasticity to comprehend metastasis expansion at distant organs
Evomet is an Innovative Training Network which aims at unraveling how metastases work. It uses a multidisciplinary array of training initiatives and techniques that integrate cutting-edge genomic, single-cell omics, and in vivo validation strategies. Evomet’s function-centric approach to studying the metastasis process can potentially change how cancer metastasis is understood and reveal actionable therapeutic targets.
More specifically, Evomet aims to:
- Identify the founding cell clones that evolve throughout metastatic dissemination and treatment resistance as well as their molecular portraits to achieve a holistic understanding of metastatic cell fates
- Dissect the mechanisms of tumour-stroma interaction in metastasis
- Understand cancer cells’ evolution from latency towards overt metastases
- Identify initial cellular populations, their potential interconversions and plasticity to comprehend metastasis expansion at distant organs
All Work Packages of the EVOMET project have fully achieved their individual objectives defined for the first 2 years and all reporting duties have been fulfilled in time with very minor deviations, as explained in detail in the Technical Report (Part B).
A very collaborative working atmosphere has been established among partners and work packages. Especially the ESRs, they have created a very positive and trustful network of peers. In this early stage of their careers, this peer-relationship is essential to build their capacities as scientists. The Annual Meetings have positively impacted the networking among all the partners.
The training activities planned for these first 2 years have been all executed and the feedback about them has been very positive.
Overall, it has been a great start of a potentially very successful partnership to train the future leaders of metastasis.
A very collaborative working atmosphere has been established among partners and work packages. Especially the ESRs, they have created a very positive and trustful network of peers. In this early stage of their careers, this peer-relationship is essential to build their capacities as scientists. The Annual Meetings have positively impacted the networking among all the partners.
The training activities planned for these first 2 years have been all executed and the feedback about them has been very positive.
Overall, it has been a great start of a potentially very successful partnership to train the future leaders of metastasis.
Evomet is a multidisciplinary consortium with a mission: to train 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) in the cutting-edge science of metastasis progression.
As an Innovative Training Network (ITN), Evomet brings together universities, research institutes and non-academic institutions from across the world to train researchers to the doctorate level.
The training objectives of Evomet are to:
1. Identify the genome of the founding cell clones that evolve throughout metastatic dissemination and treatment resistance (WP1: Cell Fate)
2. Identify the mechanisms of invasion of the stroma and the adaptation of cancer cells to hostile environments during homing and colonisation of secondary organs (WP2: Environment)
3. Understand the mechanisms by which cancer cells maintain low numbers after primary tumour resection (WP3: Latency)
4. Identify the initial cellular populations and their potential interconversions, as well as potential for plasticity, adaptation and expansion at a distant site (WP4: Expansion)
5. Provide the ESRs with a range of skills that prepare them for working both in and outside of academia
6. Foster cooperation between research and business by exposing the ESRs to business and industry concepts and offering them specific training in related topics
The progress towards the comprehensive training of the future metastasis leaders is evident and we envision its positive progress in the coming months, with great outcomes.
As an Innovative Training Network (ITN), Evomet brings together universities, research institutes and non-academic institutions from across the world to train researchers to the doctorate level.
The training objectives of Evomet are to:
1. Identify the genome of the founding cell clones that evolve throughout metastatic dissemination and treatment resistance (WP1: Cell Fate)
2. Identify the mechanisms of invasion of the stroma and the adaptation of cancer cells to hostile environments during homing and colonisation of secondary organs (WP2: Environment)
3. Understand the mechanisms by which cancer cells maintain low numbers after primary tumour resection (WP3: Latency)
4. Identify the initial cellular populations and their potential interconversions, as well as potential for plasticity, adaptation and expansion at a distant site (WP4: Expansion)
5. Provide the ESRs with a range of skills that prepare them for working both in and outside of academia
6. Foster cooperation between research and business by exposing the ESRs to business and industry concepts and offering them specific training in related topics
The progress towards the comprehensive training of the future metastasis leaders is evident and we envision its positive progress in the coming months, with great outcomes.