Abstract:
Current cancer research is impeded by the limitations of traditional experimental systems, which often do not align with human clinical findings. To address this, our focus is on developing models that elucidate the mechanisms initiating and driving carcinogenesis, initially concentrating on lung carcinoma. My laboratory has developed lung cell culture models using directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). These models have helped uncover how specific genetic alterations promote carcinogenesis in specialized human cell lineages and identified potential factors contributing to lung cell malignancy. Another significant aspect of our research investigates the impact of microbiomes on cancer development, particularly the understudied role of fungal communities (mycobiomes). We have crafted a novel 3D organotypic lung model (iLung) from differentiated hPSCs that more accurately mimics real-life fungal exposure through the use of live fungal spores. Employing advanced technologies such as mutational signature identification, single-cell transcriptomics, and quantum mechanics calculations, we have demonstrated that mycobiomes can drive cancer development through specific mycotoxin-induced mutations.
Zoom: https://umich.zoom.us/j/94337625486