Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Title : | Linking Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition to Phenotypic Heterogeneity in Carcinomas: A Comprehensive Analysis of Transcriptional Regulatory Networks |
Area of research : | Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Mubasher Rashid Rather, Indian Institute Of Technology Kanpur (IITK), Uttar Pradesh |
Timeline Start Year : | 2024 |
Timeline End Year : | 2027 |
Contact info : | mubasherrashid@gmail.com |
Equipments : | Workstation Computer |
Details
Executive Summary : | Epithelial mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) is a cellular program linked to metastasis initiation and therapy resistance. It generates non-genetically heterogeneous cell populations, including epithelial (E), mesenchymal (M), and hybrid epithelial mesenchymal (h E/M) cells. During the E to M transition, E cells lose cell-cell adhesion, allowing them to form metastatic tumors. Transcriptional regulatory networks (TRNs) under EMP have been identified and linked to tumor heterogeneity and metastasis initiation ability. Cell-cell signaling events also play a crucial role in cell fate choice determination. This work proposes a comprehensive higher-order stability analysis of EMP networks, mapping distinct stable states to corresponding biological phenotypes (E, h1/h2-E/M, and M). It aims to identify topological signatures that stabilize E, M, and h E/M phenotypes and enable transitioning between them. The integrated approach will provide insights into molecular signatures regulating cell fate transition, leading to the identification of inhibitors of phenotypic transition and tumor heterogeneity. |
Total Budget (INR): | 22,83,760 |
Organizations involved