Publication in Nature Medicine 2015 : new genetic alterations involved in the development of skin squamous cell carcinoma uncovered
Publication in cell stem cell 2015 : Sox9 gene is a key in skin cancer
Larsimont JC, Youssef KK, Sánchez-Danés A, Sukumaran V, Defrance M, Delatte B; Liagre M, Marine JC, Lippens S, Guerin C, Del Marmol V, Vanderwinden JM, Fuks F & Blanpain C. Sox9 controls renewal of oncogene targeted cells and links tumor initiation and invasion. Cell Stem Cell. 2015 Jul 2;17(1):60-73. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2015.05.008. Epub 2015 Jun 18.
Pubmed | PDF
Press highlight : Le Soir
Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) fellowship award to Mariaceleste Aragona
Grant received from the Fonds Erasme : convention d’excellence 2015-2021
A biomedical research group led by Prof. Isabelle Salmon, Head of the pathologic anatomy service at the Erasme Hospital, was granted a 1.800.000 euros subsidy in order to analyse the tumoral heterogeneity in the patients-derivated xenografts and their incidence for the specialised medicine. The lab of stem cells and cancer is very active in this nice project. Project presentation on the Fonds Erasme web site
An EMBO long-term fellowship for Maylis Raphael
Maylis Raphael has been working in the lab as a post-doctoral researcher since 2015. The fellowship she received from EMBO, a prestigious organization of more than 1800 leading researchers that promotes excellence in the life sciences, will permit her to carry on her research on the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT).
“Ma démarche scientifique est celle d’un agnostique”
Portrait of Pr. Cédric Blanpain by Philippe Lambert in La Recherche, n°497, March 2015. PDF
The future of scientific research in Belgium
Pr. Cédric Blanpain was invited by Ms. Christine Defraigne, President of the Belgian Senate, to give a talk during a seminar about the future of the scientific research in Belgium. Here is the content of his intervention: PDF
Visit of His Majesty the King Albert II to the lab
Press highlights :
Publication in Cell Stem Cell 2015 : a new mechanism involved in tumour initiation, growth and progression in skin squamous cell carcinoma uncovered
Beck B, Lapouge G, Rorive S, Drogat B, Desaedelaere K, Delafaille S, Dubois C, Salmon I, Willekens K, Marine JC, Blanpain C.
Different levels of Twist1 regulate skin tumor initiation, stemness, and progression.
Cell Stem Cell. 2015 Jan 8;16(1):67-79. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2014.12.002.
PubMed | PDF
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Publication in Nature Cell Biology 2014 : definition of the early lineage segregation during early mammalian heart development
Lescroart F, Chabab S, Lin X, Rulands S, Paulissen C, Rodolosse A, Auer H, Achouri Y, Dubois C, Bondue A, Simons BD, Blanpain C.
Early lineage restriction in temporally distinct populations of Mesp1 progenitors during mammalian heart development.
Nat Cell Biol. 2014 Sep;16(9):829-40. doi: 10.1038/ncb3024. Epub 2014 Aug 24.
PubMed | PDF
Press highlight : Le Soir
A book edited for Inbev-Baillet Latour Fund’s 40th birthday
The InBev-Baillet Latour fund is one of the most important supporters of the Lab of stem cells and cancer. For its 40th birthday, it published a book where the research and main discoveries done in the lab are detailed : PDF
Publication in Nature 2014 : the molecular mechanisms regulating tumour initiation and cancer stem cells functions in skin squamous cell carcinoma uncovered
Boumahdi S, Driessens G, Lapouge G, Rorive S, Nassar D, Le Mercier M, Delatte B, Caauwe A, Lenglez S, Nkusi E, Brohée S, Salmon I, Dubois C, del Marmol V, Fuks F, Beck B, Blanpain C.
SOX2 controls tumour initiation and cancer stem-cell functions in squamous-cell carcinoma.
Nature. 2014 Jul 10;511(7508):246-50. doi: 10.1038/nature13305. Epub 2014 Jun 8.
PubMed | PDF
Press highlight : Le Soir
ERC consolidator grant to Pr. Cedric Blanpain
For the second time, Pr. Blanpain was granted a funding from the European Research Council (ERC). Named EXPAND, this new project – a consolidator grant – aims to define the cellular dynamics leading to tissue expansion.
Cédric Blanpain had already got an ERC starting grant in 2007 for the Cancerstem project. During his first ERC Starting Grant (CancerStem, 2007-2012), Blanpain and colleagues uncovered new populations of stem cells and progenitor cells in the epidermis, prostate and mammary gland, and identified the cancer cell of origin in these different tissues. Using novel genetic approaches, they demonstrated the existence of cancer stem cells within their natural microenvironment and identified intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms regulating their functions.
Now, in his new ERC Consolidator Grant (EXPAND, 2014-2019), he studies the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating tissue expansion and cell fate decision during growth and repair of epithelial tissues.
Prof. Blanpain’s interview on the embryo status
Mathilde Latil received the “Prix pour les Jeunes Chercheurs” award from the Bettencourt-Schueller Foundation
Portrait of Pr. Cédric Blanpain for ULB TV
Interview with Bernard Rentier and Cédric Blanpain : “la recherche scientifique est-elle mal-aimée?”
Is scientific research unloved? Pr. Bernard Rentier, Rector of the Université of Liège (Belgium) and Pr. Cédric Blanpain don’t share the same opinion on this subject : La Libre Belgique, 24 May 2013
Portrait of Pr. Cédric Blanpain in “Le Vif L’Express” : “Le hasard ne sourit qu’à ceux qui y sont préparés”
Portrait of Prof. Cédric Blanpain in “Knack” : “Ik zou graag honderdduizenden mensen genezen”
Portrait of Cédric Blanpain in EMBO Encounters
Pr. Cédric Blanpain received the Liliane Bettencourt Price for life sciences 2012
This prestigious price is awarded once a year to a young European researcher recognised by the scientific community for the quality of his international publications.
Press highlights :
Publication in Nature Cell Biology 2012 : molecular mechanisms leading to basal cell carcinoma initiation uncovered
Youssef KK, Lapouge G, Bouvrée K, Rorive S, Brohée S, Appelstein O, Larsimont JC, Sukumaran V, Van de Sande B, Pucci D, Dekoninck S, Berthe JV, Aerts S, Salmon I, del Marmol V, Blanpain C.
Adult interfollicular tumour-initiating cells are reprogrammed into an embryonic hair follicle progenitor-like fate during basal cell carcinoma initiation.
Nat Cell Biol. 2012 Dec;14(12):1282-94. doi: 10.1038/ncb2628. Epub 2012 Nov 25.
PubMed | PDF | PDF (SI)
Press highlights:
Fabienne Lescroart received the “Prix pour les Jeunes Chercheurs” award from the Bettencourt-Schueller Foundation
Pr. Cédric Blanpain received the “Chaire Bauchau” award 2012
Publication in Nature Cell Biology 2012 : multipotent and unipotent Stem Cells (SCs) contributing to prostate postnatal development identified
Cancer Stem Cell Course by Pr. Jacques Boniver and Pr. Cédric Blanpain – Collège Belgique
“Cédric Blanpain : the story stem cells tell”
Portrait of Pr. Alexandra Van Keymeulen by the Fondation Contre le Cancer
“Chercheur à la Une – Pr. Cédric Blanpain”
Pr. Cédric Blanpain is promoted “Officier du Mérite wallon” by the Walloon Government
Publication in Nature 2012 : a new stem cell population in the skin epidermis responsible for tissue repair has been identified
Mascré G, Dekoninck S, Drogat B, Youssef KK, Broheé S, Sotiropoulou PA, Simons BD, Blanpain C.
Distinct contribution of stem and progenitor cells to epidermal maintenance.
Nature. 2012 Sep 13;489(7415):257-62.
PubMed | PDF | PDF (Supplementary Info)
Press highlights:
Publication in Nature 2012 : the existence of cancer stem cells showed for the first time in vivo
Driessens G, Beck B, Caauwe A, Simons BD, Blanpain C.
Defining the mode of tumour growth by clonal analysis.
Nature. 2012 Aug 23;488(7412):527-30.
PubMed | PDF | PDF (Supplementary Info) | Preview
Press Highlights:
Visit of Prime Minister Elio di Rupo to the lab
“Rencontre avec – Ontmoeting met: Cédric Blanpain” (Photos by Elio Di Rupo on Flickr)
Pr. Cédric Blanpain elected as EMBO member
EMBO (European Molecular Biology Organization) is an organisation of more than 1.800 leading researchers that promotes excellence in the life sciences. Every year, the organisation elects new members within a large number of European top-scientists candidates. The EMBO membership is one of most high excellence recognition in life sciences research.
“Télévie? Parole de chercheur”
Home stretch for the Télevie 2012 campaign : let’s speak the researcher. Le Soir, 21 avril 2012
Pr. Cédric Blanpain received the 2012 ISSCR Outstanding Young Investigator Award
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) awarded him for his exceptional achievements as an early-career stem cell researcher.
Press highlights:
Publication in Nature 2011 : the vascular niche and a VEGF/Nrp1 loop regulates the initiation and stemness of skin tumours
The vascular niche and a VEGF/Nrp1 loop regulates the initiation and stemness of skin tumours
Beck B , Driessens G, Goossens G, Kass Youssef K, Loges S, Caauwe A, Kuchnio A, Sotiropoulou PA, Candi A, Mascre M, Haigh JJ, Carmeliet P, and Blanpain C.
Nature 2011 Oct 9;479(7372):189-93. doi: 10.1038/nature10573.
Pubmed ¦ PDF
Press highlight : Le Soir
Publication in Nature 2011 : distinct stem cells contribute to mammary gland development and maintenance
Publication in PNAS 2011 : Identifying the cellular origin of squamous skin tumors
Avoid the straightjackets!
Publication in J Cell Biol 2011 : heart stem cells differentiation
Pr. Cédric Blanpain becomes one of the first 15 principal investigators awarded by the Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and Biotechnology (WELBIO)
Pr. Cédric Blanpain received the ULB Foundation award 2010
Pr. Blanpain chosen as the 9th Belgian of the year 2010
“Le Belge de l’année”, Le Soir, 31 décembre 2010. PDF
Portrait of Pr. Cédric Blanpain by the ERC
Publication in Nature Cell Biol 2010 : accelerated DNA repair
Bcl2 and accelerated DNA repair mediates resistance of hair follicle bulge stem cells to DNA damage-induced cell death.
Sotiropoulou PA, Candi A, Mascré G, De Clercq S, Kass Youseff K, Lapouge G, Dahl E, Semeraro C, Denecker G, Marine JC and Blanpain C
Nat Cell Biol 2010 Jun;12(6):572-82. Epub 2010 May 16.
Pubmed ¦ PDF
Press highlights :
Publication in Nature Cell biology 2010 : identification of the cell lineage at the origin of basal cell carcinoma
Pr. Cédric Blanpain received the EMBO Young Investigator award 2009
Press highlight : Le Soir
Pr. Blanpain received the Ithier price(s)
Press highlight : Le Soir
One year later, Prof. Blanpain received a second Ithier price for a project with the three other former price laureates : Le Soir and Esprit libre