Grant: Project Grant

RNA plays an important role in regulating cell function and the potential of RNA medicine is becoming clear as illustrated by the success of RNA vaccines in the fight against RNA viruses. However, we still know very little about how RNA contributes to human diseases including Cancer. In this project, we will study the contribution of small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) to cancer biology. We have identified snoRNAs that can differentiate between aggressive and benign tumours, and we will study the mechanism by which they contribute to tumour aggressiveness. This research is expected to increase our understanding of how snoRNAs promote tumour development and clarify their role in translation regulation. Finding the link between snoRNA expression, translation and tumour aggressiveness should lead the way for devising better treatments and identify specific markers for invasive cancer.