Seminar

Short-circuiting cancer cells through the study of cell signaling and metabolic networks

Arkaitz Carracedo, PhD

Cancer cell biology illustrates the power of evolution and natural selection. Tumor cells originate from the accumulation of mutations that provide them with immortality, among other hallmarks. Importantly, these mutations reprogram the signaling and metabolic landscape. Alterations in cellular signaling and metabolism have been demonstrated to be causal to cancer pathogenesis and progression, and they represent a window of opportunity for therapeutic intervention. Dr. Carracedo’s laboratory focuses on two major cancer types (breast and prostate cancer), and studies signaling and metabolic alterations in the context of i) cancer aggressiveness, ii) diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers, and iii) therapeutic vulnerabilities. In this lecture they will elaborate on the perspective, the tools, the results and the future prospects of their research.