3/31 – Alexandra Naba, UIC
CBQB Seminar (hybrid event)
March 31, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
This is an in-person event in room COMRB 5175 on west campus (directions). You can also watch seminar live here>>
Speaker:
Alexandra Naba, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois Chicago
Member, University of Illinois Cancer Center
Affiliate Member, Richard & Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering
Title: The Matrisome Project: Development of Quantitative Methods to Profile the Extracellular Matrix and Accelerate Cancer Biomarker Discovery
Abstract:
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex meshwork of proteins that constitutes the architectural framework of multicellular organisms. It provides mechanical and biochemical cues that trigger molecular pathways orchestrating tissue organization and cellular functions. Importantly, alteration of the composition, structure, and signaling properties of the ECM contribute to cancer progression. Thus, a better characterization of ECM composition, metabolism, and biology can lead to the identification of novel prognostic and diagnostic markers and therapeutic opportunities [1].
In this talk, I will present the latest computational [2–4] and proteomic [5, 6] methods my laboratory has developed to characterize the “matrisome” of tumor microenvironments. I will then discuss how these methods can be applied to identify 1) ECM biomarkers for better patient stratification and 2) novel ECM proteins promoting cancer progression that can further be used as targets of matritherapies [7]. Last, I will present the development of the Matrisome Project, a web portal developed to disseminate protocols, resources, and reagents on the ECM.
Date posted
Jan 27, 2025
Date updated
Mar 6, 2025