Research

The group has its focus on the mechanisms of cellular invasion and on novel means of cancer treatment, developed through the targeting of cellular components involved in cancer invasion. In particular, we study the processes of extracellular matrix degradation through proteolytic and endocytic mechanisms and the utilization of the responsible molecular components for targeted drug delivery.

​​The main focus area in this research group is collagen turnover in pathological and physiological conditions in mammals. We try to elucidate some of the mechanisms behind dysregulated collagen homeostasis in cancer and several other pathological diseases with either collagen accumulation (fibrosis) or excess collagen degradation (e.g. osteoporosis).

​​Our research is focused on structural and functional aspects of proteins involved in cellular invasion and matrix degradation. The ultimate goal of these studies is to elucidate the function of these proteins in vitro and in vivo and to facilitate the translation of these findings into a clinical setting, particularly within the field of oncology.

Several cancers, including acute myeloid leukemias (AML), are maintained by cancer stem cells (CSCs). Similar to normal stem cells, CSCs are able to self-renew and are thus the cells that need to be targeted in order to efficiently eradicate the disease. The focus of the Porse group is therefore to study cancer from a stem-cell centric viewpoint. Specifically, we address the molecular mechanisms governing both normal and malignant hematopoiesis with the aim to identify novel targets for future therapeutic intervention in patients suffering from AML.

​​Our research group conducts a patient-centric translational preclinical program aiming at the identification and validation of novel therapeutic strategies eradicating LEUKEMIC STEM CELLS in patients with ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA. In addition, we apply our newly identified human hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) marker to refine the human HSC immunophenotype and explore its clinical potential for production of stem cell grafts applicable for autologous stem cell transplantation of AML and other cancer patients, as well as gene therapy of patients with monogenic diseases.

​Cancer is a genetic disease and is caused by accumulation of genomic alterations that improve the fitness of the cell. We utilize cancer genomics approaches to characterize the mechanisms, functional consequences and prognostic relevance of genomic alterations in cancer.