Organelle-specific autophagy pathways in regulation of cell death (E09 (C07))

• Subject Area: Cell Biology ; Hematology, Oncology
• Term: from 2016 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 259130777

Autophagy can exert cytotoxic functions which can potentially be utilized for clinical applications including the therapy of apoptosis-refractory tumors such as glioblastoma (GBM). This project aims to reveal the molecular mechanisms by which drug-induced organelle damage engages selective autophagy pathways leading to autophagic cell death and investigate the therapeutic potential of this approach in GBM as a prototypic apoptosis-resistant tumor. To this end, biochemical, cell biological, imaging, and proteomic studies will be combined in preclinical in vitro and in vivo GBM models.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1177: Molecular and Functional Characterization of Selective Autophagy
• Applicant Institution: Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Simone Fulda, until 9/2020; Professor Dr. Donat Kögel; Privatdozent Dr. Sjoerd van Wijk, since 10/2020