The most aggressive cancers are highly heterogeneous and exhibit stem cell-like properties, possibly conferred by a subpopulation of tumor cells, the so-called cancer stem cells (CSC). These cells establish bidirectional interactions with other cells and extracellular matrix components of the tumor microenvironment to maintain a favorable niche. Importantly, the stemness phenotype of cancer is believed to determine tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance to therapies. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying cancer stemness may lead to the identification of biomarkers for personalized medicine and the design of novel therapeutic options.

Thus, the main research focus of our lab is to understand the players involved in cancer stemness, with a special focus in brain tumors.

To this, we combine complementary approaches such as multi-omics, genetic engineering, iPSC-derived organoid culture, and imaging. We also have established collaborations with pathologists and neurosurgeons, who provide tumor samples from patients.