Genomics and Development of Childhood Cancers

Genomics and Development of Childhood Cancers

Our laboratory focuses on the characterization of tumor heterogeniety, cellular hierarchies/trajectories in a physiological (human brain development) and pathological (childhood brain tumors) context, as well as the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the tumorigenesis of childhood cancers. Our team lies at the interface between cancer biology and developmental biology. We are specialized in bioinformatics and the analysis of large-scale genomic data.

One of the main aims of our team is to identify molecular mechanisms to trace the developmental origins (in time and space) of pediatric brain tumors (MB, ATRT, ETMR). We are also interested in identifying the transcriptional and post-transcriptional programs that are hijacked by cancer cells. The aim of our research program is to exploit these developmental vulnerabilities and propose new strategies for treating these deadly cancers. To achieve this, our team analyzes data from single-cell omics and genome-wide data from human embryonic development and patient tissues. Our core strengths are cancer biology, computational biology and genomics.

Our research projects address fundamental and translational themes with complex biological questions such as:

• Embryonal brain tumors

  • Can we use the tumor ecosystem and its cellular niches as a vulnerability?

  • What is the molecular reprogramming that initiates metastatic dissemination?

  • Can we dientify precancerous markers to prevent Medulloblastoma (rather than cure it)?

• Refining a cell type/state using the cerebellum as a model

  • What are the programs that govern cell fate decisions?

  • Does the cellular environment influence differentiation trajectories?

  • Can we reprogram cells to an distinct cell state/lineage?

Human at the heart of our priorities! We're convinced that together we'll make faster progress in cancer research!

We recruit at all levels (postdoc, engineer, PhD, Master)! 

You have a background in computational biology and you are interested in omics data applied to the development of childhood cancers? Send us your CV to olivier.saulnier@curie.fr

Current lab members

Loïc LECOMTE
Engineer 

Marine LOUARN
Postdoctoral fellow

Lexane LOUIS
PhD candidate (École doctorale Sciences du Vivant, Université PSL)

Zoé ZILBER 
Research Intern (ENS)

Past lab members

• Mafalda FRÈRE: Research Intern