Chromatin reprogramming and cancer metastasis.

Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a reversible and dynamic process proposed to be co-opted by cancer cells during disease progression, metastasis and therapeutic recalcitrance. Control of the EMT program is orchestrated by a set of master regulators that form an integrated transcriptional network with extensive cross-regulation. Several studies have also suggested that EMT relies on the modulation of chromatin remodelers and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms which remain poorly understood. Modulation of chromatin structure are crucial for cell-type specific activation or repression of gene transcription.

We previously showed that chromatin reprogramming occurred during EMT while targeting a subset of EMT master regulators in oral cancer (Mohd-Sarip et al., 2017, Cell Reports). The hypothesis is that Nucleosome remodeling and histone deacetylase (NuRD) complex triggers dynamic epigenetic changes leading to EMT-MET in specific cancers.

To understand the dynamics of chromatin modifiers as a central mechanism underlying tumour development and progression; which is very often paired to the study of epigenetic properties where patterns vary from cancer cell-type to cell-type, it is pertinent to address the impact of chromatin during cancer metastasis. By taking an unbiased proteomics, epigenomics, state-of-the-art microscopy, chromatin-, molecular-, cell-biology and biochemistry-based approaches, novel partners and targets of the NuRD complex will be identified during cellular (de-)differentiation, with a focus on metastasis and EMT-MET.

Year 3 BSc Biomedical Science_BMS3109_Clinical Biochemistry – Acid base regulation

Year 2 BSc Biomedical Science_Clinical Genetics - Chromatin remodelling and epigenetic modifiers as therapeutic targets

MRes (PGT) Translational Medicine_SCM8065_Cancer Biology – Epigenetics and Cancer

MSc (PGT) Cancer Medicine & Molecular Pathology of Cancer_SCM 8065/8121_Cancer Biology – Epigenetics and Cancer

Year 1 Medicine_SSC Genomic Impact in Medicine - Chromatin remodelling and epigenetic modifiers as therapeutic targets

Year 1 Medicine_SSC Mechanisms of Metastasis

Eager to support and host fellowship applications for postdoc and PhD.