Grants per year
Personal profile
Research Interests
Cells in our body can be stimulated to grow and make more cells, such as during normal developmental growth, during the healing of wounds, and upon activation of immune cells in response to pathogens. The Ben-Sahra lab sets out to define the metabolic changes that occur when the signaling pathways are activated both physiologically in normal cells and pathologically in cancer cells. It has emerged recently that many of the genetic factors commonly altered in cancer cells target metabolic genes and especially nucleotide synthesis. Dr. Ben-Sahra’s studies establish important new mechanisms by which growth signals, relayed through the mTOR (mechanistic Target of Rapamycin) pathway, control the synthesis of the two classes of nucleotides, pyrimidines and purines, essential for duplication of our genetic material as DNA during cell division. The Ben-Sahra lab aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which cancer cells use cellular metabolism to promote cell proliferation. Using Mass spectrometry technology, chemical and genetic approaches, we ambition to measure metabolite concentrations and metabolic fluxes in tumorigenic versus non-malignant cells in vitro and in vivo, to systematically identify metabolic states that are sufficient to drive an oncogenic transformation. Elucidating this metabolic interface will provide a mechanistic understanding of tumor initiating events in patients suffering from tumor syndrome or cancer and ultimately lead to new therapeutic strategies to eradicate cancer.
Training Experience
2016 | Postdoctoral Fellowship, Harvard School of Public Health |
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, University of Sophia-Antipolis (Nice, France)
… → 2010
MS, University of Sophia-Antipolis (Nice, France)
… → 2007
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Network
Grants
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Regulation of de novo purine synthesis by the MAPK/ERK pathway
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
1/1/20 → 12/31/24
Project: Research project
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Defining the molecular epigenetic signature downstream of mTORC1 signaling
National Tuberous Sclerosis Association Inc.
12/1/19 → 11/30/21
Project: Research project
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Role of purine metabolism in chemoresistance
Ahmed, A. U., Ben-Sahra, I. & Horbinski, C. M.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
9/1/19 → 6/30/24
Project: Research project
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Defining the mTORC1-dependent signaling mechanisms mediating epigenetic modifications
1/14/18 → 3/31/21
Project: Research project
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Understanding the impact of the oncogenic signaling network on cellular metabolic network in human breast cancers
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
9/1/17 → 8/31/20
Project: Research project
Research Output
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A spoonful of DHAP keeps mTORC1 running on sugars
Hoxhaj, G., Locasale, J. W. & Ben-Sahra, I., Sep 1 2020, In: Nature Metabolism. 2, 9, p. 801-802 2 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review
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ERK2 Phosphorylates PFAS to Mediate Posttranslational Control of De Novo Purine Synthesis
Ali, E. S., Sahu, U., Villa, E., O'Hara, B. P., Gao, P., Beaudet, C., Wood, A. W., Asara, J. M. & Ben-Sahra, I., Jun 18 2020, In: Molecular cell. 78, 6, p. 1178-1191.e6Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Scopus citations -
Senescent cells promote tissue NAD+ decline during ageing via the activation of CD38+ macrophages
Covarrubias, A. J., Kale, A., Perrone, R., Lopez-Dominguez, J. A., Pisco, A. O., Kasler, H. G., Schmidt, M. S., Heckenbach, I., Kwok, R., Wiley, C. D., Wong, H. S., Gibbs, E., Iyer, S. S., Basisty, N., Wu, Q., Kim, I. J., Silva, E., Vitangcol, K., Shin, K. O., Lee, Y. M. & 11 others, , Nov 2020, In: Nature Metabolism. 2, 11, p. 1265-1283 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
4 Scopus citations -
Cancer cells tune the signaling pathways to empower de novo synthesis of nucleotides
Villa, E., Ali, E. S., Sahu, U. & Ben-Sahra, I., May 2019, In: Cancers. 11, 5, 688.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access25 Scopus citations -
Direct stimulation of NADP + synthesis through Akt-mediated phosphorylation of NAD kinase
Hoxhaj, G., Ben-Sahra, I., Lockwood, S. E., Timson, R. C., Byles, V., Henning, G. T., Gao, P., Selfors, L. M., Asara, J. M. & Manning, B. D., 2019, In: Science. 363, 6431, p. 1088-1092 5 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
17 Scopus citations