Elisa Motori Awarded Prestigious Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation Exploration Grant
Cologne, December 17, 2024 – The Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne at the University of Cologne proudly announces that Dr. Elisa Motori, principal investigator with expertise in neurometabolism, has been awarded the prestigious Exploration Grant from the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation to advance pioneering research in cancer neuroscience. The grant will support her team’s innovative investigation into how synaptic connections between neurons and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cells influence cancer metabolism—offering potential breakthroughs in understanding tumor progression and therapeutic strategies.
SCLC is an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options and high relapse rates. Recent research revealed that SCLC cells can form synaptic connections with neurons, influencing cancer growth and metastasis (Schmitt et al., bioRxiv). The newly funded project will explore how these neuron-cancer synapses affect the metabolic processes of both cell types, aiming to uncover how neural activity might fuel tumor progression.
“Receiving the Exploration Grant empowers us to delve deeper into neuron-cancer interactions,” said Dr. Motori. “Our goal is to understand how cancer cells exploit neuronal connections to gain metabolic advantages. This research could redefine cancer synaptic innervation as a form of metabolic hijacking, paving the way for new therapeutic targets at the intersection of cancer neuroscience and metabolism.”
Cancer neuroscience is an emerging field investigating the complex interactions between the nervous system and cancer cells. Dr. Motori’s research focuses on how synaptic contacts influence the metabolic demands and adaptive strategies of both neurons and tumor cells. By integrating neurometabolism, oncology, and cellular biology, her team is at the forefront of a field with significant potential for clinical applications.
With support from the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation, Dr. Motori’s team aims to address critical questions about how neural involvement shapes cancer biology and treatment resistance. Their work promises to provide a deeper understanding of cancer metabolism within its neurological context, potentially leading to new, targeted therapies that disrupt these supportive metabolic interactions and slow cancer progression.
References
Schmitt et al., bioRxiv 2023, https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.01.19.524045
Scientific Contact
Dr Elisa Motori
Institute for Biochemistry | University of Cologne
elisa.motori[at]uni-koeln.de
About the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation
The Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the fields of medical, biological, chemical, and pharmaceutical sciences. Through its Exploration Grants, the Foundation supports exceptional scientists by enabling them to pursue novel research ideas or unexpected findings, fostering innovation in early-career research.