Laboratory of Experimental Hemato-Oncology / Department of Oncology / Research Departments / CRP-Santé

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Scope

The LHCE carries out investigations at the interface of basic and clinical cancer research.

Our investigations focus on the molecular mechanisms that govern cell death and the cellular resistance to chemotherapy in hematological and non-hematological cancers. We carry out fundamental research projects and are also actively involved in the identification of promising therapeutic strategies, including novel combination strategies for extending patient survival. Important cell death pathways that are the focus of current studies include apoptosis and autophagy. Other lines of research also explore the mechanisms underlying the repair of DNA damage induced by anticancer drugs, and the role of DNA repair proteins in genomic stability and chromatin integrity. Recently, studies aiming to discover cancer protein and miRNA biomarkers in blood samples have been initiated and implemented in the laboratory in order to improve early diagnostic and treatment.

Contact

Laboratory of Experimental Hemato-Oncology
Head of Research Unit: Dr. Guy Berchem
CRP-Santé, BAM
84, Val Fleuri, L-1526 Luxembourg
Tel: (+352) 44 11 20 84
Secretary: audrey.lemasson@crp-sante.lu
Phone: (+352) 26 970 320
Fax: (+352) 44 12 15
E-mail: berchem.guy@chl.lu

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Laboratory of Experimental Hemato-Oncology

Presentation
Activities
Team
Publications

The Laboratory of Experimental Hemato-Oncology (Laboratoire d’Hemato-Cancérologie Expérimentale, LHCE) was established in 2003 as one of the first basic cancer research laboratories in Luxembourg, and it was integrated into the research building of the CRP-santé in September 2004. The LHCE, together with the NorLux Neuro Oncology Laboratory belongs to the Department of Oncology which was created in 2008. Funds from the “Fonds National de la Recherche” (FNR) through the BIOSAN cancer research program and from the Fondation de la Recherche sur le Cancer et Maladies du Sang” (RCMS) have largely contributed to the initial implementation of the LHCE. Donations as well as competitive funds from the FNR, Télévie, the Ministry of Research and “Fondation luxembourgeoise contre le cancer (FLCC)” have enabled the current development of the laboratory’s scientific activities.

Headed by Dr. Guy Berchem, MD, hematolo-oncologist at the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL), the LCHE presently comprises 22 members and is composed of staff scientists (PhDs and MDs), engineers and technicians, as well as postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, undergraduate and technical trainees.
The LHCE has set up a large network of national and international collaborations.The Laboratory has also become a major partner in the initiatives to accelerate bio-medical research recently launched by the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in collaboration with three US Institutions : TGen Foundation , Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center , and Institute for Systems Biology.

Methodology

Molecular mechanisms are investigated using a combination of biochemical and genetic approaches, including transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. Cell-based systems and clinical samples such as bone marrow biopsies and patient tumor-derived plasma cell subpopulations are used in our studies. State of the art flow cytometry and immunofluorescence methods have been developed in the Laboratory.

Flow-cytometry core facility

The LHCE has set up a flow-cytometry core facility which is now routinely used for immunophenotyping of cells using specific markers and for the investigation a various cell phenomena (e.g., apoptosis, ROS generation).

The LHCE also benefits from to in house collaborations and access to the various facilities and platforms of the CRP-Santé, including the Microarray Center, the newly-created Proteomic Unit, the Integrated Biobank of Luxembourg (IBBL), confocal microscopy, and laser dissection microscopy.