The role of Gli similar transcription factors and the primary cilium in melanocyte development and melanoma phenotype switching

Melanoma is the cancer of melanocytes, our pigment producing cells. It is the deadliest form of skin cancer with a rising global incidence. In its early stages, melanoma can be successfully treated.

However if detected later in its progression, when cells have migrated from the primary tumour, survival rates drop significantly.

New therapies have drastically improved short term outcomes but patients invariably develop resistance and the disease returns.

We urgently need a better understanding of the mechanisms that drive melanoma initiation, progression and resistance so that we can develop new and improved therapeutic options. Melanoma undergoes a process known as phenotype switching which drives disease progression and resistance.

Its is thought that this process involves the reactivation of genes involved in the embryonic development of melanocytes.

We have identified a family of three related genes that impact melanoma survival and control the expression of a large number of genes involved in development.

This project is designed to uncover the function of this gene family in the development of melanocytes and their transformation into melanoma.