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of: 1/ cell–cycle independent properties of Cip/Kip pro-
teins; 2/ specifc postranscriptional/postranslational modi-
fcations of cytosolic substrates.
2013
LAUREATES
Ontogeny and molecular
diferentiation pathways of lung
interstitial macrophages
> Fabrice Bureau
The lung is a unique immunologic organ that has to process
inhaled allergens while not interfering with its primary
biologic functions. My laboratory recently identifed lung
interstitial macrophages (IMs) as important regulators of
respiratory immunology. Indeed, IMs may counteract the
adaptive immune responses toward inhaled allergens
and thus could prevent allergic asthma. This project aims
at characterizing the still poorly understood biology of
IMs, i.e. their cellular ontogeny and molecular diferentia-
tion program. This project thus opens perspectives for a
better understanding of the pathophysiology of asthma
and for developing novel (immuno)therapeutic strategies
for this disease.
Analysis of the tumor suppressor
potential of a new gene implicated in
acute leukemia
> Stéphane Schurmans
A mouse model of leukemia was generated in our laboratory by inac-
tivation of a specifc gene. Our hypothesis is that this gene is a novel
tumor suppressor gene and that alterations in the structure or expres-
sion of the gene can lead to leukemia or other tumors. The goals of our
project are to demonstrate the tumor suppressor potential of this gene
in vivo in mouse and to analyze whether it is a new tumor marker and/
or a new target for cancer treatment. To reach these goals, we ana-
lyze tumor development in a new genetically-modifed mouse and use
human tumor samples to detect alterations in the structure or expres-
sion of this specifc gene.
Molecular regulation of cerebral
cortical neurogenesis
> Laurent Nguyen
The cerebral cortex contains neurons that are distributed within
layers and are regionally organized into specialized areas that under-
lie sophisticated motor, cognitive and perceptual abilities. The deve-
lopment of this structure progresses through several stages including,
neural proliferation, neuroblast migration and neuronal diferentiation.
Disrupting the completion of one or several of these steps often
cause cortical malformations that lead to severe learning disabilities,
mental retardation or epilepsy. Thus, untangling the mechanisms that
control these cellular steps during the formation of the cortex is
critical to understand the pathological events that contribute to the
onset or the progression of some neurological disorders. The objective
of our project is to elucidate new molecular pathways that regulate
cerebral cortical neurogenesis with an emphasis on the contribution
WELBIO
WELBIO is an inter-university life sciences research insti-
tute based in Wallonia, Belgium. WELBIO aims at promoting
scientifc excellence in fundamental life sciences research
and translating scientifc achievements in medical, pharma-
ceutical and veterinary biotechnology applications.
2011-2015
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
Insight into the roles of the IKKε
kinase in breast cancer
> Alain Chariot
Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying breast
cancer initiation and progression is required to provide
new therapeutic targets. Several pro-survival oncogenic
kinases are constitutively activated in breast cancer cells.
Among them is IKKε whose corresponding gene is amplifed
in +/- 15% of breast cancers. Nevertheless, it is currently
unclear how this kinase promotes cell survival in mammary
epithelial cells and if so, which other genetic alterations
cooperate with IKKε to promote tumor development.
Our project relies on the generation of a mouse model in
which IKKε is expressed in the mammary gland and also on
the characterization of new IKKε substrates and interacting
proteins. Dissecting the IKKε-dependent pathways will
help to reveal the mechanisms underlying tumor develop-
ment in the mammary gland.
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