Investigation of nanoscale RAS polarizations in instructing cancer cell stemness

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Christian Eggeling
• Subject Area: Cell Biology ; Biophysics ; Hematology, Oncology
• Term: from 2020 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 432186367

Currently major drug development efforts focus on one of the major cancer proteins called Ras, which has evaded drug targeting for 30 years. We aim at understanding, what makes Ras so special that it is mutationally exploited in 30% of all cancers, including major cancer types, such as colon and lung. We are interested in the role of Ras to drive aberrant dedifferentiation that closely correlates with cancer severity. Our approach contrasts with the predominant focus on cell proliferation in cancer research. Using sophisticated microscopic methods that can reveal details down to the molecular scale, we will investigate how Ras controls the normal organisation of tissues. We expect that our work will have a major impact on understanding not only the biology of Ras, but also of similar cancer associated proteins. Ultimately, we expect that this will improve future cancer drug development efforts.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Luxembourg
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Daniel Abankwa, Ph.D.