Autophagy is a highly conserved catabolic pathway that breaks down complex intracellular components into basic nutrient molecules that are reutilised by the cell.

Dysregulation of autophagy is associated with many diseases including cancer. Autophagy can protect against cancer initiation by clearing dysfunctional or toxic components, but can also support cancer progression by mobilising nutrients and promoting cell survival.

Remodelling of cellular membranes is critical for many key steps of autophagy including autophagosome biogenesis, autophagosome-lysosome fusion and lysosome regeneration. However, how membrane remodelling contributes to different autophagy pathways during cancer progression remains poorly understood.

Aims of the project group

1: Identify new regulators of autophagy membrane remodelling using image-based siRNA screens and novel autophagy reporters

2: Dissect the molecular mechanisms and signalling consequences of autophagy membrane remodelling using advanced cellular imaging, molecular biology and multi-omics analyses

3: Determine how autophagy membrane remodelling contributes to tumour growth and metastasis using 2D, 3D and in vivo cancer models

Remodelling of cellular membranes is essential for autophagy. Created in https://BioRender.com.

Funding 

- Researcher Project for Early Career Scientists (FRIPRO)