Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TRANSMIT (TRANSlating the role of Mitochondria in Tumorigenesis)

Teaser

TRANSMIT is a multi-partner project that intends to mobilize the critical mass of expertise, by linking partners from 7 different countries, among which world-leading basic science and clinical centers of excellence, SMEs as full partners, as well as non-profit foundations...

Summary

TRANSMIT is a multi-partner project that intends to mobilize the critical mass of expertise, by linking partners from 7 different countries, among which world-leading basic science and clinical centers of excellence, SMEs as full partners, as well as non-profit foundations with a long-lasting history of dealing with the societal consequences of cancer in patients and their families. It is estimated that one in 3-4 individuals will develop a form of cancer during their lifetime, making this complex disease a heavy burden for the health system, with societal implications and new challenges. The knowledge that cancer is not only a genetic, but also a metabolic disease, has led scientists to investigate the intricate metabolic plasticity that transformed cells must undergo to survive the adverse tumor microenvironment conditions, and the contribution of oncogenes and tumor suppressors in shaping metabolism. TRANSMIT investigates the metabolic changes that characterize human cancers, with emphasis on the role of mitochondria, bridging basic research to the improvement/development of therapeutic strategies, and ultimately fostering the communication of this rapidly emerging field of innovative research to the public (oncologic patients and their families). The knowledge that cancer is not only a genetic, but also a metabolic disease, has led scientists to investigate the intricate metabolic plasticity that transformed cells must undergo to survive the adverse tumor microenvironment conditions, and the contribution of oncogenes and tumor suppressors in shaping metabolism. TRANSMIT aims to dissect the metabolic remodeling in human cancers, placing the focus on the role of mitochondria and bridging basic research to the improvement/development of therapeutic strategies. Further, TRANSMIT fosters the communication of this emerging field to the patients and their families. Thanks to its multi-partners Consortium, TRANSMIT project allows to transfer the current knowledge into the wide field of cancer research, translating scientific and technical advances into the education and training of eleven Early Stage Researchers.
TRANSMIT specific objectives are:
• to educate a young generation of scientists in the appreciation and dissection of the multifaceted aspects of metabolism in cancer, through three highly integrated Work Packages (WPs) divided into Tasks (Ts) led by Principal Investigators/Supervisors (PIs);
• to implement up-to-date and innovative technologies and integrated methodologies in the field of mitochondrial physiopathology to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer and generate animal models:
• to develop career pathways in order to fill in the current need for researchers with an all-round knowledge of both biological, clinical, dissemination and managerial issues, also related to gender balance. Indeed, despite encouraging signs, women are still under-represented in science.

Work performed

TRANSMIT project is implementing training-through-research dedicated to unravel the metabolic features of cancer, as well as providing a full portfolio of training activities and complementary skills through the creation of a network of basic, translational and industrial laboratories, devoted to a multidisciplinary/multisectorial education of young scientists in cancer field.
During the first period the project objectives achieved were:
· to sign a Consortium Agreement;
· to carry out and complete the recruitment of 11 ESRs, and develop their respective Personal Career Development Plans;
· to establish and make operative the main TRANSMIT bodies of governance, i.e. the Executive Council, the Advisory Board and the Assembly of Trainees, with the election on their part of representatives in charge for 6 months;
· to launch the TRANSMIT website and newsletters as strategic dissemination tools;
· to achieve the proposed scientific objectives, to obtain the deliverables listed between month 1 and month 24, and, more specifically in relation to the scientific WPs;
· to organize and carry out technical workshops and a Winter School;
· to foster the active participation of the consortium to the international conference Abcam on Cancer and Metabolism where a TRANSMIT stand represented an optimal tool for dissemination and for collecting new contacts;
· to co-supervisor with the Associate Partner CEUB, the Course in Cancer Metabolism and the Course in Cancer Nutrition, with the active participation of the fellows as a mean of confrontation with a number of eminent speakers from outside the Consortium;
· to attract and bond with associations and foundations constituted by patients and their families in order to launch the TRANSMIT crowdfunding campaign
· to develop a communication campaign through the TRANSMIT website (https://www.transmit-project.eu/) and newsletters have been launched and the project is on different social networks and platforms.
· to respect deadlines with the EC and the Project Officer.

Final results

Based on the state of the art, TRANSMIT will unravel the role of mitochondria in the metabolic reprogramming of human cancers. Taking advantage of the scientific expertise of the Consortium’s members and the excellent training of the 11 ESRs, we expect major results such as:
- characterization of bioenergetic and molecular profile of solid tumors by using biochemical, metabolomic, proteomic and bioinformatic integrated approaches;
- evaluation of the pivotal role of several mitochondrial enzymes and coenzymes as modulator of tumorigenesis by using genome editing tool and mass spectrometry quantification;
- targeting metabolic features of tumors in 3D models and in vivo by using a metabolic-based adjuvant treatments.
The tight connection among Academic and Industrial partners and ESRs will impact the scientific field in terms of identification of metabolic and genetic targets, discovery of novel biomarkers and testing of novel anticancer therapeutic strategies. Fellows will benefit from the acquisition of an excellent multidisciplinary/multisectorial training that will make them appealing candidates for highly selective positions at the frontiers of Industrial and/or Academic research in life sciences and biomedical research, enhancing the career perspectives and employability. The integrated work with industrial partners will make the project’s outputs immediately useful as research tools, either by partners within the Consortium or by third parties. Indeed, SMEs design and produce cancer-related tools that add value to TRANSMIT activities, but also create a commercially-exploitable output from the project. The industrial products will be targeted at customers undertaking preclinical drug discovery and in turn, should make drug discovery more cost-effective, bringing downward pressure on drug prices, to reduce healthcare burden and increase societal access to new therapies. Further, each product is the foundation of a new SME cancer-product portfolio which will support company growth and create new high-value employment in an economically-challenged region.
Last but not least, the direct contact between academia/industry and patients associations and foundations will guarantee a productive exchange of competencies and expertise. This will allow TRANSMIT to actively contribute to one of the challenges of public health namely the fight against cancer.

Website & more info

More info: http://www.transmit-project.eu.