Investigating the role of DUSP16 in regulating the cell fate of neuroblastoma (360G-Wellcome-211657_Z_18_Z)

£0

Neuroblastoma (NB) is an embryonal tumour originating from the peripheral sympathetic nervous system[5]. NB displays huge clinical heterogeneity, from spontaneous regression to highly aggressive behaviour[5]. The long term survival is less than 50% for high risk disease[3]. Interestingly, neurotrophin (Trk) signalling contributes to NB cell fate[6], TrkA expression induces differentiation while TrkB induces proliferation and aggressive behaviour of NB cells[6,7]. My supervisor's group showed that Trk receptors signal via the same pathways but the duration of the signal is different, and this can be the culprit in determining cell fate. A MAPK phosphatase, DUSP16 has been identified to be differentially activated in TrkA and TrkB expressing NB cells. The aim of my project is to elucidate the role of DUSP16 in Trk-mediated signalling and cell fate of TrkA/TrkB expressing NB cells. i) I will focus on MAPK signalling in NB, and investigate the role of DUSP16 on ERK1/2, p38 and MAPK signalling (by Western blotting) in TrkA/TrkB expressing NB cells. ii) Also, I will test the effect of down-regulation of DUSP16 (by siRNA) on the cell fate of TrkA/TrkB expressing NB cells (microscopic observation). The ultimate goal is to find a way to induce the aggressive TrkB cells to differentiate.

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Grant Details

Amount Awarded 0
Applicant Surname Roberts-Walsh
Approval Committee Internal Decision Panel
Award Date 2018-05-31T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2017/18
Grant Programme: Title Vacation Scholarships
Internal ID 211657/Z/18/Z
Lead Applicant Ms Sian Roberts-Walsh
Partnership Value 0
Planned Dates: End Date 2018-07-27T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2018-05-28T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country Ireland
Region Ireland