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Laboratory of Experimental Cancerology - LCE

Published on 24 May 2023

A defect in the repair of oxidative DNA damages can result in the accumulation of mutations and even induce cell death and has been involved in many human pathologies such as cancer or neurodegenerative diseases. Our laboratory is interested in the repair of oxidative DNA damages by the Base Excision Repair pathway, that is essential to ensure the stability of both nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. One of the most abundant base lesions induced by oxidative stress is the 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) that is excised by the DNA glycosylase OGG1.

Tumoral plasticity, characterized by the existence of cancer stem cells and by the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), is at the origin of intra-tumoral heterogeneity and plays a major role in the resistance to radio or chemotherapy. We are interested in understanding how the modification of the redox state is linked to this process and affects acquired cellular resistance. We are particularly interested in the role of the DNA glycosylase OGG1, in both cellular plasticity and resistance to the treatments. 


Image of structure illumination microscopy showing  a cell expressing  the DNA repair protein OGG1 (in green) in both the nucleus and the mitochondria. Mitochondrial  network is visualized  using Mitotracker  Red .

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Anna CAMPALANS
Principal investigator
Phone : 33 (0) 1 45 54 89 53


Secretary 

Aurélie GOURET
Phone : +33 (0)1 46 54 98 66



By using a combination of molecular biology, genomics, super-resolution microscopy and cellular biology techniques applied to both in vitro and in vivo models, our projects focus on the understanding and modulation of the cellular responses induced by exposure to oxidizing agents or ionizing radiation. Chemical molecules and metallic nanoparticles modulating the redox state of the cells and inducing DNA instability are under study for their potential as new therapies for the treatment of cancer or neurodegenerative disorders. 


ONGOING PROJECTS : 


  • Molecular mechanisms involved in the assembly of Base Excision Repair complexes in the context of chromatin architecture. Link between repair of oxidative DNA damages and transcription
  • Repair of oxidative DNA damage in mitochondria and its role in the maintenance of mitochondrial genome 
  • Effect of ionizing radiation on mitochondrial network and mitochondrial DNA stability. 
  • Role of OGG1 in the Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition and in the resistance of tumor cell to radio or chemotherapy 
  • Identification of novel therapeutical approaches for the treatment of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases based on the use of chemical molecules affecting redox state and genome stability. 
  • Development of metallic nanoparticles for the optimization of individual radiotherapy: in situ dosimetry and radiosensitization effect. Study of oxidative stress and DNA instability induced by the combined treatment in order to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved.