Identification of novel tumor suppressor genes involved in the development of cutaneous malignant melanoma

• Applicant: Dr. Sandra Blöthner
• Subject Area: Epidemiology and Medical Biometry/Statistics
• Term: from 2006 to 2008
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 31026467

Malignant Melanoma, a potentially lethal skin cancer, represents a significant public health burden in all populations of European origin and its incidence is rising faster than that of any other cancer type. Existing treatments for metastatic melanoma are extremely ineffective, prompting the urgent need for more targeted therapies. The development of melanoma depends on the activation of oncogenes and the inactivation of tumour suppressor genes (TSGs). In addition to the known genes involved in melanoma, molecular evidences suggest additional critical genes which could be potential therapeutic targets. The specific aims of the present project are: a) To fine-map the genomic location of putative TSGs by mining the data which have been generated from a large number of melanoma cell lines by Dr. Nick Hayward and his collaborators; b) To identify novel melanoma TSGs by screening the most promising candidate genes from the most convincing chromosomal regions for mutation, deletion and loss of expression. Novel melanoma TSGs discovered by this study will form the basis for better understanding the molecular pathways underlying this disease. Such knowledge may allow the development of targeted therapies to treat melanoma.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Australia
• Hosts: Professor Dr. Nicholas Hayward; Professor Dr. Rajiv Kumar