Start-up funding: Characterization of gene regulatory networks and ferroptosis sensitivity of drug-tolerant melanoma

Characterization of gene regulatory networks and ferroptosis sensitivity of drug-tolerant melanoma

Dr. Ancély Ferreira dos Santos,
Rudolf Virchow Zentrum (RVZ), Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg

Dr. Hamed Alborzinia,
Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM) & Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg

Melanoma is a highly aggressive skin cancer that arises from the melanocytic lineage. Several driver-gene mutations are associated with tumor progression; some have already been used for targeted therapies. Despite the recent advances and effectiveness of such targeted therapies, subpopulations of melanoma cells can inevitably acquire resistance, which ultimately challenges anti-tumor responses to subsequent anticancer drugs. This joint grant application aims to uncover the mechanism of resistance to drug treatment in melanoma, which will be the basis of developing innovative combinatorial strategies to combat melanoma by induction of ferroptosis.

remaining Start-up funding projects 2021 – 2024

Markers of lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis sensitivity in metastasis to liver and lung
- Dr. Christina Bebber,
  CECAD, Cluster of Excellence for Aging Research, University of Cologn
- Dr. Felix C. E. Vogel,
  Division of Tumour Metabolism and Microenvironment, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg

Deciphering the role of hepcidin in ferroptotic-mediated liver damage in hemochromatosis
- Dr. Carolin Lohr,
  Division for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectiology, University Hospital Duesseldorf
- Dr. Marlene leTertre,
  Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), University Hospital Heidelbergof Tumour Metabolism and Microenvironment, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg

Using APEX2 as a chemogenetic tool to study ferroptosis in vivo
- Dr. Svenja Lorenz,
  Helmholtz Munich, Institute of Metabolism and Cell Death, München
- Dr. Uladzimir Barayeu,
  German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Division of Redox Regulation, Heidelberg