Identification of splice variants and miRNAs and their validation as markers and signatures

Coordinator:		PD Dr. Holger Sültmann
Institution:		Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum
Homepage:		www.dkfz.de

SP5 will contribute novel validated gene and miRNA markers and signatures for the identification of clinically significant prostate cancer. Building on our previous achievements in gene expression analysis, we will deploy microarray technologies to investigate the association of splice variants and miRNAs with prostate cancer progression. The gene expression signatures will be compared with the connectivity map database (http://www.broad.mit.edu/cmap/) to identify links to therapeutic interventions. Using RNA interference (RNAi) in prostate cancer cells, coupled to microarray analysis, we will generate gene interaction networks in prostate cancer. The gene expression data will be integrated by SP13 for network modeling. Combined with the genomic analyses (SP2), the analyses will generate novel tumor candidates to be further analyzed in SP4 (mutation and methylation status), SP9 (serum proteins), SP11 (cellular function), and SP12 (organismal function).