The mammalian central nervous system harbors neural stem cells (NSCs) that drive neurogenesis within restricted brain regions during adulthood. Adult NSCs divide infrequently to generate proliferating progenitors that ultimately differentiate. Quiescence of NSCs is reversible and this has important implications for brain tumors such as gliomas. Since uncontrolled proliferation and impaired differentiation of NSCs and progenitors may lead to the formation of gliomas, interfering with these processes would be important to target glioma initiating cells. I aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying transformation of stem and progenitor cells and the formation of brain tumors.


Brain tumor development team:

Dr. Marina Giannaki (Postdoc) https://www.verdontaylorlab.com/team/marina-giannaki
Karin Burger (Research Assistant) https://www.verdontaylorlab.com/team/karin-burger

Former team members:
Dr. Elena Parmigiani (Postdoc), INGM / T-ONE THERAPEUTICS, Milan
Regina Dönen (Research Assistant), University of Basel


Key Publications

• Parmigiani E, Giachino C♦ (2022) Genetic inactivation of Notch1 synergizes with loss of Trp53 to induce tumor formation in the adult mouse forebrain. Cancers 14, 5409

• Parmigiani E, Ivanek R, Rolando C, Hafen K, Turchinovich G, Lehmann FM, Gerber A, Brkic S, Frank S, Meyer SC, Wakimoto H, Günel M, Louvi A, Mariani L, Finke D, Holländer G, Hutter G, Tussiwand R, Taylor V, Giachino C♦ (2022) Interferon-γ resistance and immune evasion in glioma develop via Notch-regulated co-evolution of malignant and immune cells. Developmental Cell 57:1–19

• Giachino C♦, Boulay J-L, Ivanek R, Alvarado A, Tostado C, Lugert S, Tchorz J, Coban M, Mariani L, Bettler B, Lathia J, Frank S, Pfister S, Kool M, Taylor V♦ (2015). A tumor suppressor function for Notch signaling in forebrain tumor subtypes. Cancer Cell 28:730-742, Highlighted in: Cancer Cell 28:681-2; Highlighted in: Neuro Oncol. 18:761-3, Issue cover image

• Giachino C, Barz M, Tchorz J, Tome M, Gassmann M, Bischofberger J, Bettler B, Taylor V (2014). GABA suppresses neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus through GABAB Development 141:83-90, Highlighted in: Development 141:1, Issue cover image

• Giachino C*, Basak O*, Lugert S, Knuckles P, Obernier K, Fiorelli R, Frank S, Raineteau O, Alvarez-Buylla A, Taylor V (2014). Molecular diversity subdivides the adult forebrain neural stem cell population. Stem Cells 32:70-84

• Basak O*, Giachino C*, Fiorini E, MacDonald HR, Taylor V (2012). Neurogenic subventricular zone stem/progenitor cells are Notch1-dependent but only in their active state. J Neurosci 32:5654-66.

• Lugert S , Vogt M, Tchorz JS, Müller M, Giachino C, Taylor V (2012). Homeostatic neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus does not involve amplification of Ascl1high intermediate progenitors. Nature Commun 3:670. doi: 10.1038/ncomms1670. Highlighted in: Faculty of 1000 http://f1000.com/717951206

• Lugert S, Basak O, Knuckles P, Haussler U, Fabel K, Götz M, Haas CA, Kempermann G, Taylor V*, Giachino C* (2010). Quiescent and active hippocampal neural stem cells with distinct morphologies respond selectively to physiological and pathological stimuli and ageing. Cell Stem Cell 6:445-56 Highlighted in: Cell Stem Cell 6:401-2

• Giachino C, Taylor V (2009) Lineage analysis of quiescent regenerative stem cells in the adult brain by genetic labelling reveals spatially restricted neurogenic niches in the olfactory bulb. Eur J Neurosci. 30:9-24


Reviews

• Parmigiani E, Taylor V, Giachino C♦ (2020). Oncogenic and Tumor-Suppressive Functions of NOTCH Signaling in Glioma. Cells 9(10):2304. doi: 10.3390/cells9102304.

• Parmigiani E, Taylor V, Giachino C♦ (2017). Tenascin-C induces expression of the Notch ligand Jagged1 to promote glioma growth. Transl Cancer Res 6(Suppl 6):S1057-S1060. doi: 10.21037/tcr.2017.07.21

• Giachino C♦ (2014). GABAB receptors: emerging functions in adult neurogenesis. Neurogenesis 1:e29354; http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/neur.29354

• Giachino C and Taylor V (2014). Notching up neural stem cell homogeneity in homeostasis and disease. Neurosci. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00032

• Giachino C, Basak O, Taylor V (2009). Isolation and manipulation of mammalian neural stem cells in vitro. Methods Mol Biol. 482:143-58.

♦ corresponding author
* equal contribution

Grants
2023 Swiss Cancer League ‡
2022 Wilhelm Sander Stiftung ‡
2019 Stiftung für krebskranke Kinder, Regio Basiliensis ‡
2019 Novartis Foundation for Medical-Biological Research +
2018 Swiss Cancer League ‡
2017 Huggenberger-Bischoff Stiftung zur Krebsforschung ‡
2017 Stiftung zur Krebsbekämpfung ‡
2015 Swiss Cancer League ‡
2014 Novartis Foundation for Medical-Biological Research +
2013 Forschungsfonds der Universität Basel. Research Fund of the University of Basel for the promotion of outstanding young researchers ‡

‡ principal applicant
+ co-applicant with Verdon Taylor