Decoding the epigenome and its regulation in neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric cancer of the sympathetic nervous system and one of the most common solid tumors in infancy. Several studies have provided insights into the genetic complexity underlying NB, however, the heterogeneous nature of the disease and lack of recurrent somatic mutations reinforces the need to understand the interplay between the genetic factors and epigenetic alterations in the context of NB. Epigenetic modifications are heritable changes that occur on the DNA, without altering the DNA sequence per se. Epigenetic mechanisms play a pivotal role in normal and disease settings. Thus, understanding the epigenetic architecture and genes governed by these modifications provides an alternative approach to identifying novel underlying mechanisms associated with NB. In this project, we will systematically investigate the impact of the various epigenetic layers in several NB models through an array of molecular biology and biochemistry technologies. We expect that our findings will provide a platform to generate novel biomarkers that allow for better diagnostic approaches as well as screening of new drugs in real time, which will pave the way for innovative and better lines of treatment.

No additional funding sources recorded.