Mechanisms of cancer formation

Cancer is a mortal disease characterized by accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes in cells from various organs, allowing them to proliferate in an uncontrolled fashion and to escape from programmed cell death (i.e. apoptosis). Although it is known since the late 70's that most cancer cells have a reduced autophagy capacity, underlying molecular mechanisms are so far unknown (Gozuacik D and Kimchi A, Oncogene 2004). 
 
Students willing to participate in this project will work on the characterization of molecular mechanisms of autophagy in cancer models. They will study the cellular and molecular outcomes. They will clone genes, express their proteins in cancer celsl lines and analyze the effect of these genes on autophagic activity using mammalian cell culture and biochemistry tools. 
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