Lucas Tafur. Crédito: Laura M. Lombardía / CNIO
The new Structural Mechanisms of Cell Growth Group is led by Peruvian researcher Lucas Tafur, from the University of Geneva (Switzerland)
The group will use cryomicroscopy to visualise protein complexes in full interaction
The goal is to know which cellular mechanisms cancer cells use to survive and to look for therapies that neutralise those mechanisms
The cells adapt to environmental conditions and the nutrients they have at their disposal. They do so by means of groups of proteins -technically called protein complexes-, which detect stimuli in the environment and communicate with other proteins to modify the metabolism and growth of the cell. When the cell is unable to adapt to its environment, diseases such as cancer or metabolic disorders can occur.
Knowing the structure of the protein complexes that regulate cell adaptation to different environments is the main objective of the Structural Mechanisms of Cell Growth Group, which has just joined the National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO). It is led by Peruvian researcher Lucas Tafur, from the University of Geneva (Switzerland).
“I’m interested in understanding how these protein complexes work and interact and, from there, in finding common molecular principles that can be applied in different systems,” says Tafur.
Preventing cancer cells from surviving
Finding the molecular mechanisms that allow cells to adapt is essential for cancer research, since cancer cells survive within tumours with little oxygen or nutrients. And those that form metastases enter a dormant state to spread to other parts of the body.
“If we understand the mechanisms of adaptation at the molecular scale, we can think about attacking them, and therefore prevent the survival of tumour cells. So, in the future we will be able to look for therapeutic options specifically aimed at tumour cells, which avoid side effects,” explains the researcher.
Seeing proteins in 3D at the atomic level
The technique that the group will use is cryomicroscopy, which uses samples at extremely low temperatures to preserve their structure. This technique takes images of molecular complexes at atomic resolution and allows researchers to obtain a 3D model. Lucas Tafur has been working with this for years, as have several groups at CNIO that are already an international benchmark in the area.
“CNIO has been building an important base in cryomicroscopy,” says Tafur; “the experience of groups such as those led by Rafael Fernández Leiro and Óscar Llorca can be complemented by ours in a very enriching way.”
Tafur believes that his work can provide a new perspective in sample preparation to see the interaction of molecules in different states and in more dynamic processes. Not only that, but he has also specialised in preparing samples to study the complexes and signalling pathways by purifying them less, so that researchers can see the non-isolated complexes, closer to how they function inside the cell.
“A world-leading cancer research centre”
To apply this knowledge to the study of what happens in cells and organisms, “the CNIO offers a good opportunity to work with more translational and cell biology groups. We can provide feedback and enrich each other with our discoveries,” says the new group leader.
Tafur outlines three reasons that led him to join CNIO: “Firstly, it’s a world-leading cancer research centre. Secondly, the research carried out by different groups at the centre complements my line of research very well, so we can form collaborations that help us to understand the questions we are studying more fully, with different experimental approaches. Thirdly, the opportunity to develop my line of research in an environment of collaboration and excellence, where the experience of the different groups in the Structural Biology programme complements each other.”
Tafur’s team also includes an expert researcher in cryomicroscopy from the University of California San Diego. A laboratory technician and student will soon be joining them.