Cancer Biology

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. 

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.