Name and Surname of the Supervisor: Giulio Preta
Institution (Company), Department: Institute of Biochemistry, Life Science Center.
Preliminary Topic: Berberine-induced PCSK9 inhibition: a novel anticancer strategy
Short Description of the Internship Work: Berberine, a natural alkaloid found in plants such as Berberis species, has attracted much attention for its potential as an adjuvant in cancer therapy. In addition, berberine has been reported to downregulate PCSK9 mRNA and protein levels, mainly via transcriptional regulation. PCSK9, a key regulator of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) degradation, has been implicated in cancer progression. Our preliminary data on different tumor cell lines showed that berberine effectively decreases PCSK9 levels and upregulates LDLR expression. In particular, those cell lines with the highest PCSK9 expression appear to be more sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of berberine, supporting a potential role for PCSK9 in tumor growth. Our studies aim to reveal the importance of PCSK9 in tumorigenesis and to investigate whether berberine can enhance the cellular cytotoxicity induced by common chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin, etoposide, or doxorubicin. The student will use Synergyfinder to assess the presence of synergistic effects, and after identifying the best combinations, will try to clarify the mechanistic basis behind this synergistic effect (i.e. dysregulation of apoptotic proteins).
Main methodologies: mammalian cell culture, cell viability assays, immunofluorescence, ELISA, apoptosis assays.
Qualification Requirements (Degree): BSc MSc
Application Deadline: 2025-05-31