11
Key numbers
41
Scientists
56
PhD students
20
Technicians
Laboratories
Laboratory of Tumour and
Development (LBTD)
Jean-Michel Foidart, Agnès Noël and
Didier Cataldo
Laboratory of Metastasis Research
(LRM)
Vincent Castronovo and
Akeila Bellahcène
Laboratory of Experimental Pathology
(LPE)
Philippe Delvenne
Laboratory of Molecular Biology and
Genetic Engineering
Ingrid Struman
Laboratory of Connective Tissues
Biology (LBTC)
Alain Colige
Laboratory of Histology–Cytology
Marie-Paule Defresne
Laboratory of Human Genetics
Vincent Bours
Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular
Epigenetics
Luc Willems
GIGA-Cancer
The Thematic Research Unit (TRU) GIGA-cancer encompasses more than 120 members who are studying
molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in cancer genesis, cancer progression and metastatic dissemi-
nation. Using advanced epigenetic, genomic, proteomic and metabolomic technologies applied to human
samples or sophisticated
in vitro
and
in vivo
models, GIGA-Cancer researchers are exploring the func-
tions of novel regulators of diferent steps of cancer growth and invasion. A special emphasis is given on
the identifcation of predictive, prognostic and diagnostic markers of cancers with putative interest to
developpersonalizedtreatmentorovercometumor resistanceor adaptationtotherapiescurrentlyused in
clinic. With this aim, GIGA-Cancer researchers have developped active collaborations with clinicians in
departments of the University Hospital (CHU of Liège). These experimental and translational approaches
allow an in-depth investigation of instrinsic features of primary tumor cells, metastatic tumor cells and
circulating tumor cells (CTC). In addition, the complex interactions occurring between cancer cells and
their molecular and cellular environment are studied with a special focus on extracellular matrix, immune
cells, infammatory cells and endothelial cells of blood or lymphatic vessels. In order to get new insights
into abnormal tissue remodeling, impaired vessel functions and excessive infammation, the TRU members
are also investigating other disorders sharing these abnormal features such as ocular diseases, lung infam-
matory disorders, preeclampsia, endometriosis and embryonic implantation. The ultimate goal of the TRU
is to develop safer and more efcient treatments with a specifc interest in developping personalized
medicine.
Contact
Agnès Noël
agnes.noel@ulg.ac.be
+32 4 366 25 68
www.giga.ulg.ac.be/cancer