The Malouf Lab at IGBMC is dedicated to uncovering the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying renal cell carcinomas, with a particular focus on rare and treatment-resistant subtypes. Our research combines functional genomics, epigenetics, and single-cell technologies to understand tumor heterogeneity and therapy response.
Our recent projects include the identification of biomarkers of response to immunotherapy using epigenetic profiling, bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq and scRNA-seq), and spatial transcriptomics. We are particularly interested in how epigenetic alterations, the stromal microenvironment, and endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) influence treatment outcomes.
We have recently identified several long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with response and resistance to therapy. Using gain- and loss-of-function studies, we have validated the critical roles of some of these lncRNAs in tumor biology. Our team is now investigating the molecular pathways through which these lncRNAs act, using integrated approaches that combine mechanistic studies in vitro and in vivo with analysis of patient-derived tumor samples, obtained through robust national and international collaborations.
Our ultimate goal is to generate discoveries that pave the way for innovative therapeutic strategies to improve the management and outcomes of patients with rare kidney cancers.
The project will be carried out at IGBMC (Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire), one of the largest and most prestigious research centers in France. IGBMC is jointly operated by Inserm, CNRS, and the University of Strasbourg, and is internationally recognized for its leadership in functional genomics and biomedical research.
The institute offers a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment, bringing together expertise at the crossroads of biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and medicine. Researchers benefit from access to cutting-edge scientific services and state-of-the-art technological platforms, including genomics, imaging, proteomics, and animal facilities.
Located within the Parc d’Innovation in Illkirch, just south of Strasbourg, IGBMC is part of a vibrant scientific and innovation ecosystem that fosters collaborative research, technology transfer, and training of the next generation of biomedical scientists.