Dissecting the role of metabolic alterations in sphingolipids in PDAC (P14)

• Subject Area: Gastroenterology
• Term: from 2018 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 329628492

Sphingolipids, such as ceramide, and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), have opposing roles in PDAC carcinogenesis. However, cellular and molecular determinants regulating selectivity of sphingolipid metabolites are poorly understood. We aim (1) to understand the pancreas specific role of sphingomyelin metabolism. (2) To understand the relationship of metabolic changes in the sphingolipid pathway in its cellular context. (3) To understand the contribution of compensatory sphingolipid pathways for membrane fluidity acting as triggers for neoplastic transformation and treatment resistance.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1321: Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität München (TUM)
• Project Head: Professorin Dr. Julia Mayerle