# Signal Transduction Program

> **NIH NIH P30** · COLD SPRING HARBOR LABORATORY · 2020 · $40,534

## Abstract

Signal Transduction Program – Project Summary/Abstract
The Signal Transduction (ST) Program focuses on the molecular signals within and between cells that drive
cancer. Members of the Program include experts who bring an in-depth understanding of different families of
signaling proteins, integrated with investigators who have a deep knowledge of cancer biology and ability to
develop cutting-edge technologies and systems with which to study molecular and cellular functions. As such,
the program generates basic discoveries that can drive the development of untapped areas for cancer therapy.
The ST Program has two major overarching themes/goals. The first major goal is to identify and target
signaling in cancer. Aberrant biochemical cascades stimulate cancer cells; therefore, an in-depth
characterization of signal transduction elements is essential for developing potent therapeutics and
circumventing drug resistance. Members of the ST Program have taken an integrated approach to the
definition and characterization of such signaling elements and their dysregulation in cancer, thereby focusing
attention on potential therapeutic targets that are amenable to chemical or biological inhibitors. The second
major goal is to characterize and attack tumor-host interactions driving cancer. Tumors contain host cells
(such as immune, mesenchymal, and vascular cells) that communicate with cancer cells. Although genomic
changes within the cancer cells drive cancer, the interactions with the host cells promote cancer and is
mediated by signaling downstream of mitogens, cytokines, extracellular matrix proteins, and cell-cell interacting
receptors. Members of the ST Program aim to unravel the interplay between the intracellular signaling
pathways and host responses, with a particular focus on mechanisms involved in evasion from the immune
system and tumor-host interactions in tumor progression. Instrumental to achieving the overall goals of the
program is the development of novel animal and in vitro model systems of cancer. Mouse models, intravital
imaging to visualize the cellular activities, and in vitro model systems such as organoids address defined
aspects of tumor-host interactions and can be probed with pharmacological and genetic inhibitors to facilitate
the identification of novel drivers, modulators, and suppressors of tumor formation and progression.
The ST Program has 9 CSHL faculty members. There is much interaction and synergy among them and with
other Program members as well as with collaborators at other institutions, other NCI-designated Centers,
hospitals, and biotech firms. Support, Shared Resources, and infrastructure from the CCSG as well as
institutional funds have been critical to assemble our Program and enable vital future enhancements.
As of 8/1/15, ST members held $4.1M of direct costs secured from NCI, other peer reviewed and non-peer
reviewed, cancer-related support. Of this, $2.6M was from NCI and other peer reviewed cancer sources. Sinc...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9975725
- **Project number:** 5P30CA045508-33
- **Recipient organization:** COLD SPRING HARBOR LABORATORY
- **Principal Investigator:** Linda Van Aelst
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $40,534
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9975725

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9975725, Signal Transduction Program (5P30CA045508-33). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9975725. Licensed CC0.

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