Post-doctoral Fellowship Grant Awarded to Yoon Seok Kim

Pediatric brain cancers affect nearly 4,000 children each year. Recent research emphasizes the vital role of neuron-cancer communication in their development. Neurons stimulate cancer growth, and cancer cells, in turn, boost neuron activity, creating a harmful cycle that leads to seizures and fast tumor growth. However, many aspects of this communication remain unclear due to the diverse nature of brain cancers. Studying these cancers is challenging due to the brain's functional and biochemical diversity. Understanding them requires an in-depth analysis spanning various components and levels, from protein chemistry to tumor spread. Holistic characterization of the biochemical interplay between neurons and cancer cells is critical to understanding brain cancer pathophysiology and represents a promising direction for therapy development. While basic neuron-cancer interactions are well-described, key components and mechanisms of communication and cancer pathogenesis remain unexplored.

In Michelle Monje's lab, my research aims to uncover the molecular aspects of key cell surface signaling in pediatric gliomas, mainly Diffusive Intrinsic Pontine Glioma and Diffusive Midline Glioma (DIPG/DMG). Initially, I will identify crucial proteins involved in neuron-glioma interactions using advanced mapping techniques, providing a detailed blueprint of the cell surface in DIPG/DMG and other pediatric gliomas. Subsequently, I will delve into the roles of these proteins using molecular and cellular approaches. Finally, I will develop and assess new therapies in mouse models. These findings have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of glioma cell surface signaling and inspire innovative treatment strategies.