Neuroblastoma cell states and their link to the microenvironment, disease progression and therapy response (C01)

• Subject Area: General Genetics and Functional Genome Biology ; Bioinformatics and Theoretical Biology ; Developmental Biology ; Hematology, Oncology
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 493872418

The project plans to use well-controlled zebrafish models of neuroblastoma and multiplexed single cell transcriptomics to analyze the spectrum of tumor cells. Cell barcoding and transplantation experiments will be combined to assess cell state plasticity. The regulatory mechanisms and microenvironmental factors underlying transitions between cell states will be determined to identify cancer cell vulnerabilities. The effects of treatment and disease progression on the different cell states will be investigated. Results from the zebrafish model system will be compared with data from patient samples.

• 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. Jan Philipp Junker