Unraveling medulloblastoma biology by proteomics

Principal Investigator: Marc Remke, MD, Heinrich-Heine University, Dusseldorf, Germany
Award: $300,000 over three years
Mentor: Michael Taylor, MD, PhD, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
Funding Partner: Catching Up with Jack

This project will compare cancer cells and normal cells using tools designed to analyze DNA, RNA and proteins. To this effect, Dr. Remke will use mass spectrometry to profile the proteins of medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children. In addition to protein analysis, he will analyze the RNA of medulloblastoma by sequencing and the DNA by a microarray designed to look at methylation, which is like a switch for whether or not a gene will be turned into RNA. Dr. Remke will then integrate all the data from the protein, RNA and DNA analyses in the hopes that the results will help to inform clinicians about novel treatment strategies and to treat patients according to the aggressiveness of their disease.