Advances in Biosciences Seminar Series - Professor Janni Petersen, Professor in Cancer Cell Biology, Flinders University, Australia
| Dates: | 28 April 2025 |
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| Times: | 12:00 - 13:00 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health |
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| Who is it for: | University staff |
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| Speaker: | Janni Petersen |
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Join the Division of Molecular and Cellular Function (MCF) for the Advances in Biosciences Seminar Series, the speaker will be Professor Janni Petersen, Professor in Cancer Cell Biology from Flinders University, Australia
The seminar will be hosted by Dr Lisa Swanton.
Title: "Targeting Cell Signalling in Nutrient-Stressed Environments for Cancer Therapy"
Abstract: Using the single-celled organism yeast and cancer-derived tissue cultures, we characterize nutrient-dependent cell signalling, focusing primarily on the Target of Rapamycin (TOR) and AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) signalling pathways. We employ time-resolved mass spectrometry and a drug-induced strategy to manipulate TOR Complex 1 (TORC1) and AMPK activity in yeast. This approach has identified numerous conserved novel phosphorylation sites in essential regulators of nutrient sensing, cell proliferation, and long-term survival under nutrient stress.
We have translated several of our findings from yeast to human cell lines to identify nutrient-dependent cell signalling pathways crucial for cancer cell proliferation and survival. Our goal is to leverage the unique characteristics of cancer cells regarding their nutritional status. Gaining this insight could pave the way for developing targeted drugs that exploit the vulnerabilities of cancer cells without affecting the rest of the patient, thereby reducing the adverse side effects associated with chemotherapy.
Speaker
Janni Petersen
Role: Professor
Organisation: Flinders University, Australia
Travel and Contact Information
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Michael Smith Lecture Theatre
Michael Smith Building
Manchester
