Welcome to The Glial Biology of Cancer Laboratory
Our Vision
Our vision is to be at the forefront of innovation in brain cancer research, dedicated to understanding the fundamental processes behind this devastating disease with the goal to develop groundbreaking, effective therapies and cures.
Our Mission
Unravel contributions of glial cells to brain tumorigenesis, using functional biobanking, high-fidelity patient-derived and mouse models and multi-omic approaches.
Unraveling Mechanisms of Brain Tumor Initiation and Malignant Transformation
At our lab, we aim to uncover the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive malignant transformation in gliomas, a process that is still poorly understood. By employing cutting-edge single cell and spatial analysis techniques on innovative low-grade glioma mouse models that accurately mirror the development of human tumors, we are longitudinally investigating the evolving tumor cell states, the dynamics of immune infiltration, and the intricate tumor microenvironment. Our work aims to reveal the molecular underpinnings of this transformation and to identify potential therapeutic strategies to prevent it, ultimately advancing our understanding and treatment of these challenging brain tumors.
Empowering Discoveries Through Biobanking
Our Functional Biobanking Research Initiative is dedicated to unraveling the complexities of brain tumors. Our mission focuses on identifying novel tumor entities and characterizing rare brain tumor entities, especially those driven by onco-fusion proteins, which play a crucial role in the progression of various malignancies. By optimizing cancer model development, we aim to enhance the efficacy of research and therapeutic strategies, ultimately paving the way for more personalized and targeted cancer treatments. We strive to improve patient outcomes through innovative biobanking methodologies.
Confronting New Players in Brain Tumorigenesis and Therapy Evasion
The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) includes immune cells, stromal cells, and brain cells (neurons and glia). Unlike tumor cells, which acquire genetic mutations under therapeutic pressure, TIME brain cells are non-mutated and less likely to gain additional mutations, making them a promising, less toxic target for therapies. Single-cell transcriptomics reveal significant recruitment of unmutated oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and their progeny (OLs) to the TIME of high-grade gliomas. OPCs/OLs promote oligodendrogenesis and adaptive myelination, processes regulated by neuronal activity but their immune profile and transcriptome suggest broader disease-associated functions. Despite their abundance in human brain tumors, the role of these cells in tumorigenesis remains poorly understood. We utilize human tumor samples, innovative mouse models, and computational approaches to investigate the contribution of these tumor-associated OPCs/OLs to tumor initiation, progression, and therapy evasion.