Salem Lab
Our Latest Research
Areas of Interest
Oral Bacteria Influence Head and Neck Cancer
Oral bacteria are not just passive bystanders in the mouth. We investigate the role of bacterial-derived vesicles and toxins on the development and spreading of head and neck cancers. Recently, we found that specific oral bacteria can influence the course of oral cancer. Interestingly, the effect was dependent on the type of bacteria: some promoted cancer aggressiveness, while others were beneficial to the host health.
Phenotypic Plasticity Drives Metastasis and Drug Resistance
Our research on cancer cell plasticity aims to uncover new mechanisms that facilitate tumour growth and clinical resistance. By identifying compounds that can inhibit phenotypic plasticity and related gene transcription, we aim to develop new drugs interfering with the growth and dissemination of head and neck cancers. We have been instrumental in defining previously unknown mechanisms that potentially underpinning lymphatic metastasis in oral cancer (we coined the term Lymphatic Mimicry).
CRISPR Gene Editing in Cancer Therapy Studies
CRISPR-Cas9 is a state-of-art genome editing tool aimed to alter specific sequences of DNA in the cell. We employ this approach to edit the genome directly in human cancer cells and to knock-out particular genes in order to identify their role in carcinogenesis. This allows us to discover new drug target candidates in head and neck cancer patients.