All our different cells have different functions even though every cell in our body contains the same DNA. That’s because some genes are switched “on” in one cell and “off” in another. We call this process gene regulation. If gene regulation goes wrong, a cell might receive the wrong signals and start dividing uncontrollably. That can lead to cancer.
Keizer investigates how the 3D structure of DNA affects gene regulation. “With this Veni grant, I want to find out whether the shape of DNA determines whether a gene is turned on or off.” The DNA doesn’t sit loosely inside the cell: it’s folded and organized. Using magnetic particles, she changes the shape of DNA in living cells. At the same time, she measures whether this causes a gene to become more active, or less.
MYC is a protein involved in 70% of all tumors. It plays a role in the process of switching genes on and off. When a cell produces too much MYC, it may start reading the genetic code differently. This could cause cell division to go out of control, which can lead to cancer.
“We want to gain a better understanding of the exact way MYC does this. And thanks to the Veni grant, we can start investigating now,” says Rik Lindeboom. He focuses on breast cancer cells and studies how small changes in the amount of MYC can reprogram healthy cells into cancer cells. “We think this is a molecular process involving many steps, and we want to define those steps.”
The Veni is a prestigious research grant for early-career scientists who recently obtained their PhD. It is part of the NWO Talent Program. This year, 200 promising researchers across various fields were awarded Veni funding, with a maximum grant of €320,000. The grant allows them to further develop their own research ideas over the next three years.