Identifying metabolic vulnerabilities in 3D

A prerequisite for metabolic studies in advanced cancer models, is the adaptation of respective protocols to account for the experimental and analytical challenges that go along with the transition from 2D to complex 3D models. Here, we will translate our robust profiling pipeline to advanced 3D cancer models. Taking advantage of different 3D models available within the consortium, the profiling pipeline will be first benchmarked by validating known metabolic alterations in melanoma, CRC and glioma. Subsequently, metabolic profiling upon TE-relevant constraints (hypoxia and nutrient deprivation) will be applied. This approach may also help to identify novel disease-relevant entry points to counteract drug resistance (P1, 13, 16). In the long run, this pipeline will also be used to create tumour type-specific metabolic maps with the aim to make it available to the cancer research community.