Mariana Tannus Ruckert, PhD
Defining the role of ER-mitochondrial dynamics in pancreatic tumorigenesis
Most pancreatic cancers begin in acinar cells, the cells responsible for producing digestive enzymes. When those cells are damaged — by inflammation, for instance — they may undergo a protective transformation known as acinar-to-ductal metaplasia, considered the first step in the development of pancreatic cancer. That transformation requires substantial energy, generated by mitochondria. Beyond producing energy, mitochondria interact with other cell structures such as the endoplasmic reticulum, which helps regulate their shape and function. Pancreatic cancer cells are known to rely on smaller, shorter mitochondria to survive, and this project tests whether the same change is necessary for healthy cells to begin turning malignant — and what role mitochondria-ER interaction plays in that early transformation.
The aim is to identify early warning signs of pancreatic cancer, and to explore new ways to prevent healthy cells from becoming malignant in the first place.
Mariana earned both her Master’s and Doctoral degrees at the University of São Paulo in Brazil. As a Fulbright Doctoral Dissertation Research Award grantee she also conducted part of her research at the University of Kansas Medical Center. During her PhD she investigated the role of dual-specificity phosphatases in pancreatic cancer. Her research now focuses on the involvement of mitochondrial dynamics in the initiation of pancreatic cancer — work driven by a commitment to improving the lives of patients affected by the disease.
Seed grants start at $50,000 — awarded by scientists, reported on annually.
Donate →Mariana Tannus Ruckert, PhD
Defining the role of ER-mitochondrial dynamics in pancreatic tumorigenesis
Most pancreatic cancers begin in acinar cells, the cells responsible for producing digestive enzymes. When those cells are damaged — by inflammation, for instance — they may undergo a protective transformation known as acinar-to-ductal metaplasia, considered the first step in the development of pancreatic cancer. That transformation requires substantial energy, generated by mitochondria. Beyond producing energy, mitochondria interact with other cell structures such as the endoplasmic reticulum, which helps regulate their shape and function. Pancreatic cancer cells are known to rely on smaller, shorter mitochondria to survive, and this project tests whether the same change is necessary for healthy cells to begin turning malignant — and what role mitochondria-ER interaction plays in that early transformation.
The aim is to identify early warning signs of pancreatic cancer, and to explore new ways to prevent healthy cells from becoming malignant in the first place.
Mariana earned both her Master’s and Doctoral degrees at the University of São Paulo in Brazil. As a Fulbright Doctoral Dissertation Research Award grantee she also conducted part of her research at the University of Kansas Medical Center. During her PhD she investigated the role of dual-specificity phosphatases in pancreatic cancer. Her research now focuses on the involvement of mitochondrial dynamics in the initiation of pancreatic cancer — work driven by a commitment to improving the lives of patients affected by the disease.
Seed grants start at $50,000 — awarded by scientists, reported on annually.
Donate →