Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) evolution and re-integration as a driver of progression and metastasis (A03)

• Subject Area: Bioinformatics and Theoretical Biology ; Hematology, Oncology ; Human Genetics ; Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 493872418

The project examines the effects of ecDNA and re-integration on NB evolutionary pathways and clonal dynamics. Heterogeneity in tumor-metastasis pairs will be analyzed to detect differences in metastatic cells and evaluate how different re-integration sites contribute to transcriptional changes. Algorithms will be developed to study ecDNA inheritance and its contribution to genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity between primary and metastatic NBs. Long-read sequencing is used to detect copy number alterations as a diagnostic tool. The goal of this work is to uncover novel mechanisms of tumor evolution.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1588: Decoding and Targeting Mechanisms of Neuroblastoma Evolution
• Applicant Institution: shared FU Berlin and HU Berlin through:; Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Anton Henssen; Professor Dr. Roland Schwarz