Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating the 'jumping genes'- related immune response in cancer cell models

Advances in sequencing technologies and the bioinformatic analysis of big data facilitate the study of jumping genes’ activity in the human genome in cancer from a broad perspective. Retrotransposons, which move from one genomic site to another by a copy-and-paste mechanism, are regulated by various molecular pathways disrupted during tumorigenesis. Although accumulated evidence suggests that retrotransposons induce inflammation, particularly type I interferon responses, the research investigating the exact mechanism of triggering these responses is lacking. This project aims to examine in cell models how the retrotransposons stimulate inflammatory reactions and how to use the inflamed microenvironment to reduce the tumor burden. Understanding these mechanisms could provide insight into ways to improve the therapeutic management of cancer through the use of retrotransposon-induced inflammation as a tool to instigate immune responses against tumors.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)