Congratulations to Daniel SAMPAIO GONÇALVES on the acceptance of his thesis!

Summary of his research:
Cellular senescence is a state of permanent cell cycle arrest regulated by tumor suppressor genes such as CDKN2A. Senescent cells also engage in extensive intercellular communication via a secretory component known as SASP (Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype). While the primary function of senescence is cancer protection, it also plays essential roles in embryonic development and tissue regeneration.  

Given the connection between senescence, development, and regeneration, I conducted a bioinformatics analysis on various models of senescent cells. My findings revealed evidence suggesting that senescence is accompanied by several developmental signatures. These signatures were linked to the overexpression of genes involved in embryonic development, many of which were also present in senescent cells isolated from the apical ectodermal ridge of developing limb buds.  

Moreover, prolonged exposure to SASP induced developmental genes and signatures, simultaneously activating numerous developmental transcription factors and potential mediators of senescence, one of which might function as a regulator of CDKN2A. Overall, these results suggest that the senescence program involves a broad reactivation of developmental processes.  

Skills Acquired at IGBMC:
I learned "how to do science" and become a researcher. I acquired numerous technical skills ("hard skills") as well as interpersonal skills ("soft skills"). The IGBMC environment allowed me to present my work multiple times and receive constructive feedback for improvement. I learned to progress independently and overcome challenges.  

Life at IGBMC:
What I appreciate most about IGBMC is that it is a large institute enabling high-level scientific research. It offers opportunities to interact with experts across various fields, access a wide array of equipment, and benefit from services and platforms that significantly facilitate and enhance research efficiency.  

Funding and Partners:
My first year of funding was provided by the University of Strasbourg – Doctoral School of Life and Health Sciences (doctoral competition). Subsequently, I was awarded a four-year AFR grant from the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR), which financed the remainder of my PhD.  

Future Projects:
Looking ahead, I plan to continue in research, focusing more on utilizing, integrating, and developing deep learning techniques within everyday scientific workflows.  
Feel free to reach out if you need more details!