A COmputational Modelling platform for Epithelial DYnamics to explore the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stemness acquisition in cancer recurrence (CoMEDy)
Type: National Project
Duration: from 2016 Jul 01 to 2019 Jun 30
Financed by: FCT
Prime Contractor: Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian (Other) - Lisboa, Portugal
For most cancers, which stem from epithelial cells, tumour recurrence and metastasis are the major causes of mortality. Albeit extensive research, these processes are still not well understood. However, recent studies point towards the necessity to take into account intratumour heterogeneity to design effective therapies. This proposal relies upon the premise that computational models combining both cellular and microenvironment levels are required to tackle our main goal: to clarify, in the context of carcinomas, the emergence of EMT and CSCs as well as their relationship. CoMEDy, the computational platform to be developed, will be useful to tackle the modelling of other biological processes that require the consideration of detailed intracellular networks and of cell interactions with the microenvironment. The logical model of a comprehensive regulatory network of EMT and stemness, together with its integration in the microenvironment context, will provide new insights into mechanisms of cancer progression. Among the model predictions, those confirmed by our in vitro experiments, should serve as valuable guides to innovative cancer therapies.
Partnerships
- Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian (Other) - Lisboa, Portugal
- INESC-ID (Other)