Abstract
The consolidation of the knowledge that cancer is not only a genetic, but also a metabolic disease, has led scientists to investigate the intricate metabolic plasticity that transformed cells must undergo to survive the adverse tumor microenvironment conditions, and the contribution of oncogenes and tumor suppressors in shaping metabolism. In this scenario, genetic, biochemical and clinical evidences place mitochondria as key actors in cancer metabolic restructuring, not only because these organelles have a crucial role in the energy and biosynthetic intermediates production but also because occurrence of mutations in metabolic enzymes encoded by both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA has been associated to different types of cancer. TRANSMIT aims to dissect the metabolic remodeling in human cancers, placing the focus on the role of mitochondria and bridging basic research to the improvement/development of therapeutic strategies. Further, TRANSMIT fosters the communication of this emerging field to the patients and their families. To these aims, TRANSMIT will create a network of seven different countries, among which world-leading basic science and clinical centers of excellence, several industrial partners with up-to-date omics technologies, as well as non-profit foundations and associations who care for cancer patients. By creating the critical mass of scientific excellence, TRANSMIT will allow to transfer the current knowledge into the wide field of cancer research, translating scientific and technical advances into the education and training of eleven Early Stage Researchers. TRANSMIT will implement training-through-research dedicated to unravel the metabolic features of cancer, as well as to provide a full portfolio of complementary skills through the creation of a network of basic, translational and industrial laboratories, devoted to a multidisciplinary/multisectorial education of young scientists.
Project details
Unibo Team Leader: Anna Maria Porcelli
Unibo involved Department/s:
Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie
Coordinator:
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna(Italy)
Other Participants:
Oroboros Instruments Gmbh
(Austria)
Universite De Bordeaux
(France)
Justus Liebig Universitat
(Germany)
Universite' Catholique De Louvain
(Belgium)
Karolinska Institutet
(Sweden)
Salk - Landeskrankenhaus
(Austria)
University Of Cambridge
(United Kingdom)
Avanticell Science Limited
(United Kingdom)
Biocrates Life Sciences Ag
(Austria)
Third parties:
Dynamo Academy Srl
(Italy)
Total Eu Contribution: Euro (EUR) 2.856.812,04
Project Duration in months: 54
Start Date:
01/01/2017
End Date:
30/06/2021
This project contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 722605