Molecular definition of dormancy and senescence at the single-cell level
Description: What distinguishes quiescence/dormancy and senescence at the molecular level in normal and tumor cells? Quiescence is defined as a state of reversible cell cycle inactivity. Dormancy refers to quiescent tumor cells that reside in primary sites or distant organs and are responsible for cancer recurrence and metastatic disease after surgery and chemotherapy. Senescent cells, on the other hand, are in a terminal state triggered by telomere shortening or genotoxic stress. Despite lacking proliferative capacity, senescent cells can also influence cancer recurrence by secreting pro-tumor factors. The cellular distinction between these states has historically been based on cell culture assays and animal models that monitor proliferative capacity, the presence of markers such as p16, p21, and p27, and colorimetric detection of SA-¿-gal. However, these assays are interpreted in a binary manner and do not take into account, for example, that cells in a deep state of quiescence exhibit traits attributed to senescent cells. Using robust quiescence, dormancy, and senescence assays together with genetic perturbation, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and microscopy, we intend to generate data that can contribute to the molecular description of these states and possibly gain insights for strategies targeting the deletion of dormant and senescent cancer cells. (AU)
Funding type: grant
Funder scheme: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
Start date: 2026-02-01
End date: 2029-01-31
Investigator: Alexandre Bruni Cardoso
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Química (IQ)
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Funded outputs count: 0
Funder award ID: 25/07672-1
OpenAlex ID: G4248019885