Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor of astrocytic origin, characterized by aggressive growth and early relapse, underscoring the urgent need for new therapeutic targets. Recent evidence suggests that small open reading frames (sORFs) in RNA molecules, currently considered long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), may encode functional micropeptides with important roles in GBM biology. This project aims to use a multi-omics approach to identify and characterize these micropeptides. The first goal is to identify sORFs in lncRNA sequences with significantly dysregulated expression in GBM by analyzing previously obtained RNA-Seq data, followed by validation of their expression and translational potential. The second goal is to investigate the molecular mechanisms of action of selected micropeptides through interaction studies, signaling pathway analysis, and evaluation of the impact of induced expression changes on the expression of associated molecules and GBM cell behavior. By elucidating the functional significance of these micropeptides, the proposed research project has the potential to uncover these previously overlooked molecules as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for GBM.

Sustainable Development Goals

Masaryk University is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to improve the conditions and quality of life on our planet by 2030.