Research Programmes
Oncology
Colorectal cancer laboratory I
Eduard Batlle
Principal Investigator
ICREA Research Professor
Office Tel : + 34 93 403 90 08
Lab Tel : +34 93 403 49 82
e-mail : eduard.batlle
irbbarcelona.org
Background
Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of death by cancer worldwide. Most colorectal tumors develop as benign lesions but a small proportion progress to more malignant stages when the appropriate alterations in oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes occur. The final and deadliest step in colorectal cancer progression is the metastatic dissemination of colorectal cancer cells to other organs, mainly the liver.
Research Interests
Our lab studies the initiation of CRC and its progression from the early stages to the formation of aggressive tumors. We develop and examine cell and animal models that mimic this devastating disease. The ultimate goal is to obtain information that allows us to design new therapeutic and diagnostic tools.
Research Lines
1) Intestinal stem cells and CRC stem cells
Our studies address the identification, isolation and profiling of normal crypt stem cells and their malignant counterparts. We aim to identify the relationship between cell renewal in the intestinal epithelium and the initiation and progression of CRC.
2) EphB/ephrinB receptors in CRC
We recently demonstrated that the beta-catenin/Tcf target genes EphB2 and EphB3, two receptors of ephrinB ligands, suppress CRC progression beyond the early stages of tumor development. Most CRC silence the expression of EphB receptors around the adenoma-carcinoma transition, despite constitutive Wnt signalling. We are currently studying how EphB activity blocks tumor malignization as well as the mechanism of EphB down-regulation in advanced CRC.
Early Colorectal Cancer lesions (dashed line) showing nuclear beta-catenin accumulation and expression of EphB2
3) The colonization of the liver by CRC cells
Liver metastasis is the main cause of death by colorectal cancer, yet the molecular mechanisms responsible for liver colonization by colorectal cancer cells remain largely unknown. We aim to identify the genes required by CRC cells to colonize the liver, with the focus on developing new therapeutic approaches to tackle the spread of CRC.
Funding
This group receives financial support from the following sources:
- Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (Spanish Ministry of Science and Education)
- European Commission (FP6)
- Generalitat de Catalunya (DURSI) (Government of Catalonia)
More info
Postdoctoral positions
We are continuously seeking for outstanding postdoctoral researchers that would like to join our laboratory and investigate the relationship between stem cells and cancer in the intestine.
To apply for a postdoctoral fellowship in my laboratory, please provide: A detailed curriculum vitae including a brief statement of your reason for interest in the lab and your goals for a post-doctoral fellowship, and three letters of reference.
Send inquires to:
Eduard Batlle
eduard.batlleirbbarcelona.org
