Exploring the role of mitochondrial contact sites on calcium and redox signaling in cancer

Organelle architecture, dynamics and inter-compartmental communication are essential parameters that govern cellular function. Hereby, mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) play a central role and can be considered as master regulators of intracellular compartmental assembly, dynamics and signalling. However, the identity of the signalling mechanisms and the molecular players involved in the cancer-relevant organelle reprograming, are not fully understood. This project aims to (i) characterize the mitochondrial architecture and organization in healthy melanocytes and cancerous melanoma cells, (ii) examine the role of mitochondrial contact sites in compartmental calcium and redox signalling and (iii) investigate their contribution in melanoma pathobiology.