Head of the Research Group: Prof. Andrea CILIBERTO
Contact: ciliberto.andrea@itk.ppke.hu
Our group studies how cells react when cell division is arrested, an effect elicited by numerous anti-cancer drugs. When cell division cannot be completed correctly, cells stop dividing; many of them die, but some manage to restore proliferation. These are cells that manage to overcome the effect of the drugs, and eventually can become insensitive to them. This behavior underlies the emergence of resistance to cancer treatment, a well-known limitation in treating cancer patients. Our group performs evolution experiments in the laboratory and develops mathematical models to explain them.
The final goal is to find ways to delay, predict, and govern the emergence of resistance to drugs that impact cell proliferation. Experimental work is primarily done in our twin lab at IFOM (Milan, Italy), while in Budapest researchers analyze data and produce models aimed at understanding and predicting the outcomes of new experiments.
Adaptive evolution in cells impaired in cell division. We plot the optical density (a measure of cell number) as a function of time. Different populations select clones able to divide at different time points
Future research directions, collaboration opportunities
We look for MSc or PhD students who have knowledge in analyzing data and producing mathematical models of molecular networks. We offer the unique opportunity of integrating their activities with the experimental work performed in the IFOM lab.
Key publications
- Stier, A.B., Bonaiuti, P., Juhász, J., Gross, F., Ciliberto, A. (2025). lncreased risk of slippage upon disengagement of the mitotic checkpoint. PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY, 21(3): e1012879.
- Macaluso, F., Bos, , Chiroli, E., Bonaiuti, P., Apuan, J. C., Gross, F., Pompei, S., Rice, L.M., Ciliberto, A. (2025). Evolutionary adaptation to hyperstable microtubules selectively targets tubulins and is empowered by the spindle assembly checkpoint. CELL REPORTS, 44(2):115323.
- Pavani, M., Chiroli, E., Cancrini, C., Gross, F., Bonaiuti, P., Villa, S., ... & Ciliberto, A. (2023). Triap1 upregulation promotes escape from mitotic-slippage-induced G1 arrest. CELL REPORTS, 42(3):112215.
