Journal of Cell Science & Therapy
Open Access
ISSN: 2157-7013
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2157-7013
+44 1300 500008
Baronchelli S
Posters: J Cell Sci Ther
Cancer is a disease based on several levels of genomic alterations, such as DNA mutations, chromosomal aberrations, copy number alterations (CNAs) and epigenomic changes. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a grade IV astrocytoma with a 12-15 month of median survival. GBM heterogeneity is mirrored by the presence of distinct sub-populations of cells showing diff erent tumorigenic capabilities: glioma stem cells (GSCs) are believed to be the real driving force of tumor initiation, progression and relapse. Multiple level of genomic disruption are instrumental to cancer development, therefore the study of the genome alterations in GSC lines through a multilevel approach is mandatory to understand GBM pathogenesis. In this study we performed a genome wide-analysis on three GSC lines through a genomic and epigenomic analysis. CNAs were identifi ed, by means of array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH, Human Genome CGH microarray kit 44K, Agilent Technologies), whereas methylation profi les were assessed using ChIP on chip technology, a technique that combines chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) with microarray technology (Agilent Technologies). Th e bioinformatic analysis evaluated both the biological functions and the pathway infl uenced by specifi c genes identifi ed through the genome-wide analysis. Genes found in previously undescribed CNAs or sharing the same methylation pattern at promoter region showed involvement in cancer mechanism, cell cycle regulation, central nervous system diff erentiation and pathways related to stemness maintenance. Th is approach might enable the detection of genetic markers specifi c of the GBM stem subpopulation and may provide a valuable useful tool for diagnostic classifi cation, prognostic assessment and development of new targeted therapies.
Simona Baronchelli is a PhD student in Neuroscience at University of Milan-Bicocca, Italy. She achieved her Master degree in Medical Biotechnology from the same university in 2008. She is engaged in Medical Genetics and the two main subjects of investigation are the evaluation of omics landscapes of glioma stem cell lines and the study of cytogenetic abnormalities in premature ovarian failure. She is the author of several abstracts presented to national and international congress and three papers published on peer-reviewed journals.