People / Graduate Students

Tugba Bagci

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most advanced form of astrocytic brain tumors with a median survival of less than 1 year after diagnosis. Despite extensive surgical resection, GBMs have a high rate of recurrence due to the ability of tumor cells to infiltrate into further distances away from the tumor mass. Therefore, identifying novel proteins with a role in GBM dispersal may lead to therapeutic targets that could reduce the spread of these tumors and enhance the efficacy of existing treatment options.

Our laboratory identified Neuropilin-1 (Npn-1) as a mediator of tumor cell invasion with a functional proteomic screen. Npn-1 is a multifunctional molecule as a receptor for two family of ligands: Semaphorins and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). Npn-1 mediates migration of neuronal and endothelial cells during development, and interestingly it is also expressed in high grades of several cancers including GBMs. My research focuses on understanding the role of Npn-1 in GBM dispersal by using RNA interference and FALI (Fluorophore-assisted light inactivation) mediated protein knockdown strategies. To this end, I utilize human GBM derived cell lines and several migration/adhesion/invasion assays to model GBM dispersal. Also, I use patient samples to test for the clinical relevance of Npn-1 in GBMs in collaboration with the Departments of Neurosurgery and Neuropathology at NEMC.