Niches and Epigenetics of Tumors (NET)
Who are we ?
"Niches and Epigenetics of Tumors" is a network of inter-regional research teams located in the interregional area of West of France.
Our Research
Researchers seek to understand how tumors are or became resistant to chemotherapy by studying :
- Epigenetics mechanisms in the tumoral cells, in the immune cells and any cells of the microenvironment as MSCs in particular.
- Crosstalk between the different types of cells composing the tumoral niche.
Better understanding of the resistance phenomenon of cancer cells to therapy is essential to permit to identify new robust biomarkers to predict the sensitivity to a drug and developed new molecules targeting niches or epigenetics actors.
The network focuses on three thematics :
1. Role of epigenome and communication between cells of the niche components in cancer treatment
Actually anti cancer drugs have an impact on the epigenome of cancer cells niche and also changes communication pathways ie non coding RNAs, epigenetic proteins content in exosomes, or cytokines such as PGE2...
Scientists working in this group dissect intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms to cancer treatment under the control of epigenome and cellular communication for new anti cancer drugs to control cancer progression.
2. Environmental effects on niche and epigenome
It is commonly accepted that environment could have adverse effects on cancer initiation and progression. The NET network studies the tumorogenic roles of pollutants through two types of exposure i) cocktail effects, low-dose long-term effects ii) single pollutant , high dose (in accidental exposure or professional exposure)
3. Our main development of models and innovative tools
- 2D et 3D models of the tumoral niche
- BRET (Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer) tools for screening anti cancer molecules
- CRISPR Knock-Out et CRISPR Activation technology to identify epigenetic actors implicated in cancer resistance phenomenon.