Hsp60/10 related in cancer

We study lung cancer with a focus on Hsp60, a protein that helps other proteins fold into the correct shape so they can function properly and keep cells healthy. In cancer, this normally protective protein can actually help tumors grow and survive. High levels of Hsp60 are common in many cancer types, including lung cancer, and are often linked to poor patient outcomes, increased metastasis, and disease progression. Hsp60 may support cancer cell survival by helping them resist cell death and continue dividing, while also stabilizing harmful proteins inside the mitochondria. Together with its partner Hsp10, Hsp60 plays a key role in the cancer cell’s stress response, creating a feedback loop that may further promote tumor growth. Our lab uses advanced techniques such as solution-state NMR, cryo-electron microscopy, and cryo-electron tomography to better understand how Hsp60 and Hsp10 work in lung cancer. Our goal is to uncover how these proteins contribute to cancer progression and how they might be targeted for earlier diagnosis or new treatments.