NEYE Fonden grant

Cancer isn't a single, straightforward disease. It's more akin to a collection of malevolent molecular adaptations used by cells to grow out of control. To effectively combat cancer, we need to understand these adaptations at the molecular level. MicroRNAs are tiny RNA molecules that act like orchestra conductors inside our cells. They have the remarkable ability to silence hundreds of genes in a coordinated manner, regulating crucial processes such as cell division and migration. When these processes go awry, it can lead to the aggressive behaviours exhibited by cancer cells.

Recent discoveries have shed light on mutations in the proteins responsible for safeguarding the integrity of microRNAs in cancer patients. These mutations cause microRNAs loaded into these defective proteins to degrade much faster, potentially contributing to tumour formation.

With the support of a grant from the NEYE Fonden, our research aims to delve into the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying microRNA regulation in tumours. This project will be lead by Dr. Nina Nelson, a Walter Benjamin Postdoctoral fellowship awarded by DFG (German Research Foundation), who recently joined out team. Together, we will investigate what factors cause microRNAs to degrade over time and explore the mechanisms cells employ to repair damaged microRNAs.

By gaining a deeper understanding of these molecular processes, we hope to pave the way for the development of therapies that prevent the decay of microRNAs, even when loaded into defective proteins. Ultimately, our goal is to harness these insights to develop more effective therapeutic strategies.

Read more about this and other cancer related projects supported by the NEYE Fonden here.