Lysosomes have been considered for several decades as the main degradative compartments of eukaryotic cells. However, it is now becoming clear that they are central regulators of many other cellular functions, including metabolic signaling, gene regulation, cell adhesion and migration. Not surprisingly, alterations in lysosomal trafficking and function have been associated with several diseases, and, more recently, also with cancer progression, tumor invasion and metastasis. Altered lysosome activity is characteristic for aggressive forms of cancer. However, what regulates the alteration of lysosomes occurring in cancer cells is still an open question.
Project:
The aim of this project is to identify molecules and pathways involved in lysosome transformation in cancer cells, and how this is coupled with the development of the cancer cell migratory and invasive ability. A better understanding of lysosomal alterations occurring during cancer progression may open new possibilities in targeting the cancer-associated lysosomes specifically and therefore may benefit cancer diagnosis, prognosis, or drug design.
In this project, the master student will learn state-of-the art cellular and molecular biology techniques to identify lysosomal alterations occurring during cancer progression. In more detail, the composition of lysosomes originating from a panel of cell lines representing various stages of prostate cancer will be compared, and potential hits will be identified using different biochemical approaches. The master student will deplete different cell lines for the proteins of interest and study the effects on lysosomal position and function using a variety of microscopy methods to further unravel the role of these proteins in cancer progression.
Methods:
This project will use techniques in biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, including:
- recombinant DNA technology
- protein expression and purification
- immunoprecipitation
- Western blotting
- cell culture
- cell transfection
- RNA interference
- migration, invasion, and chemotaxis assays
- immunofluorescence and state-of-the-art microscopy techniques, and use of different microscopes available at the NorMic imaging platform
- quantitative image analysis using software such as ImageJ, Imaris, etc.
Workplace and environment:
The project will be performed at the Department of Biosciences in the group of Cinzia Progida.
The group consists of researchers at different stages of their careers (Master, PhD students, post-docs, and an experienced technician).
