Research Group VOOIJS
Faculty of Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Dept. of PathologyContact: Dr. Marc Vooijs
E-mail: m.vooijs@umcutrecht.nl
Website: http://www.umcutrecht.nl/subsite/pathology/Researchers/HIF-Notch+Signaling/
General research focus: Notch signaling in development and disease
General research focus: Identification and characterization of the genetic changes that underlie cancer development and progression.
In all research projects we aim to address the relevance of basic research findings for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer patients using clinical specimens.
Research line1:
The role of Notch proteolysis in cancer development (Postdoc Position available)
The highly conserved Notch receptors transduce short-range signals that control many developmental processes and tissue self-renewal in adult vertebrates. Receptor ligand interaction results in sequential proteolytic cleavages of Notch leading to pathway activation. Mutations in Notch receptors that enhance proteolysis have been identified in human tumors.
We are using
• cell culture based assays to identify and target the proteolytic machinery cleaving Notch receptors
• mouse models to study the role of Notch function in normal development and cancer.
Techniques: RNA interference, chemical screening, transgenic and knockout mice, in vivo imaging.
Research line 2: The role of HIF proteins during normal physiology and cancer development
Hypoxia (reduced oxygen tension) is one of the major hallmarks of solid tumors and predicts poor prognosis. To overcome hypoxia, tumor cells co-opt the microenvironment to provide nutrients and oxygen critical for tumor cell survival. The Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF) is a highly conserved bHLH transcription factor and a critical mediator in the adaptation to hypoxia by regulating glycolytic metabolism, angiogenesis and cellular survival. We are using several approaches to dissect the hypoxic/HIF response in cancer cells to identify critical targets that may be used for intervention.
Techniques: gene expression analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation, mouse models, therapeutic antibodies.
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