Molecular oncology
Several teams are involved in examining either the basic aspects of the regulation of cellular functions or the phenotypic alterations characterizing various cancer types, including thyroid, colorectal, breast, ovarian and lung cancers. These studies include DNA replication, transcription and repair, mitosis, apoptosis, signal transduction. Our research projects are also aimed at identifying new targets and cognate active molecules, able to interfere with neoplastic processes.
In particular, in our main research projects several cellular and animal models are used to:
- investigate the molecular basis of neoplastic transformation thyroid studying oncogenic pathways and tumor suppressor respectively turned on or off in this disease;
- investigate the role of the transcription factor Pax8 in the regulation of proliferation and cell survival;investigate the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation for the expression of genes important for the development of tumors;
- develop innovative therapeutic strategies in oncology, through the identification of new molecular targets and the development of new molecules and non-viral vectors capable of recognizing the target tumor cells with high affinity.
- investigate the molecular basis of neoplastic transformation thyroid studying oncogenic pathways and tumor suppressor respectively turned on or off in this disease;
- investigate the role of the transcription factor Pax8 in the regulation of proliferation and cell survival;investigate the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation for the expression of genes important for the development of tumors;
- develop innovative therapeutic strategies in oncology, through the identification of new molecular targets and the development of new molecules and non-viral vectors capable of recognizing the target tumor cells with high affinity.