Project description DEENESFRITPL Understanding multi-step reprogramming leading to metastatic melanoma Cancer metastases are responsible for 90 % of cancer-related deaths. The metastatic process involves multi-step reversible non-genetic reprogramming, allowing cancer cells to migrate, invade and actively adapt to the varying microenvironments. Understanding metastasis requires methodologies to study non-genetic reprogramming in space and time at the single-cell resolution. The EU-funded INHuMAN project will exploit single-cell profiling and lineage tracing to perform a longitudinal analysis of the diversity and trajectories of melanoma cell states during metastatic dissemination in a clinically relevant mouse model of melanoma. The research will unravel the gene regulatory networks underlying metastatic cell states to identify targets that contribute to early steps in the metastatic process. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Metastasis is largely refractory to therapy and, thereby, responsible for 90% of cancer-related deaths. An incomplete view of the mechanisms that drive metastasis has been a major barrier to rational development of effective therapeutics and prognostic diagnostics for metastatic patients. There is increasing evidence that this multi-step process involves reversible non-genetic reprogramming events allowing cancer cells to acquire diverse phenotypic features needed to migrate, invade, intra/extra-vasate and actively adapt to the varying environment (stress) they encounter. Understanding metastasis therefore requires methodologies that capture the magnitude and dynamics of non-genetic reprogramming in 4D (space and time) at the single-cell resolution. The advent of reliable single-cell multi-Omics analytical tools allows the simultaneous profiling of single cell’s genome, epigenome and transcriptome. Integrating single-cell profiling with lineage tracing provides a robust framework for defining cell fate transitions, intermediate states and trajectory inference. The host lab has recently used such a powerful combination of approaches to study the cellular origin of melanoma, the early molecular events associated with initiation of the disease and to portray cell state dynamics during therapy response. I propose to exploit this know-how to perform a longitudinal and exhaustive analysis of the diversity and trajectories of melanoma cell states during metastatic dissemination using a clinically-relevant mouse model of melanoma, a disease with a very high metastatic propensity. The gene regulatory networks underlying the identified metastatic cell states will be deciphered and the data exploited to develop therapeutic modalities targeting (amenable) drivers of state switching that contribute to early key steps of the metastatic process. The project is expected to lead to new avenues for early detection and interception of metastatic melanoma. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologyskin cancermelanomanatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomes 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-2018 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2018 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator VIB VZW Net EU contribution € 166 320,00 Address Rijvisschestraat 120 9052 Zwijnaarde - gent Belgium See on map Region Vlaams Gewest Prov. Oost-Vlaanderen Arr. Gent 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 Other funding € 0,00
