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Research in our lab is aiming to discover:
We discovered that a genetic alteration affecting the regulation of the transcription factor C/EBPβ by the nutrient and energy signalling pathway mTORC1 dramatically improves metabolic health, frailty and lifespan in mice. The same mutation also protects against unfavourable fat storage in response to a high-energy diet. Altogether our studies point to a pivotal role of C/EBPβ in fat metabolism and ageing. How these two mechanisms are connected is subject of current study as well as we seek to translate our findings into clinical applications.
Aberrantly high expression of the C/EBPβ-LIP transcription factor has several oncogenic functions in triple-negative breast cancer. In particular, the oncogenic mechanisms of C/EBPβ-LIP upregulation are unknown. Studies investigating the oncogenic functions of C/EBPβ-LIP suggest a key role in cancer cell migration and immune evasion. Both are subject of current investigations in our lab.
Activation of the nutrient and energy sensitive mTORC1 pathway has long been considered tumour promoting. Yet, we discovered that in certain cancer types mTORC1 activation is harmful for the cancer cell and that these cells have developed mechanisms to suppress mTORC1 involving the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Current research is investigating the underlying mechanisms and cellular changes that cause cancer cell death. In addition, we seek to develop drug screening strategies to target TSC and induce cancer cell death as a therapeutic option.
We study common gene-regulatory pathways in ageing, cancer and metabolism in order to discover new strategies for prevention and therapy.
University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA)
PO Box 196, Internal Zip Code FA50
9700 AD Groningen
The Netherlands
Visiting address
University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA)
Antonius Deusinglaan 1, building 3226
9713 AV Groningen