Luciana Pereira Rangel, a pharmacist and scientist, is dedicated to the fight against cancer, with a particular focus on the p53 protein, a molecule regarded by geneticists as the protector of the genetic code. Her work is paving the way for new possibilities in cancer drugs and treatments. Luciana earned her master’s degree in science from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, where she also completed her doctorate. Born to a pair of university professors, her passion for academia was nurtured early on. To escape the hustle and bustle of city life, Luciana often retreats to Itaipava, located in the mountainous region of Rio. Married to a fellow researcher at Fiocruz, the couple cherishes the tranquility and natural beauty of the countryside whenever possible.
Luciana Pereira Rangel
Life Sciences
Projects
The tumor suppressor protein p53 plays a crucial role as the primary regulator of the cell cycle. It functions as a transcription factor, guiding the cell toward DNA repair, senescence, or apoptosis. However, when p53 mutates—a phenomenon observed in over 50% of cancer cases—it loses its “guardian of the genome” function and gains oncogenic properties that promote tumor progression. Our group has recently discovered that mutant p53 forms prion-propagating amyloid aggregates, where one misfolded protein serves as a template for others. This intriguing phenomenon, however, is not yet fully understood. In this study, we aim to characterize the formation of these aggregates, defining their functions, protein interactions, post-translational modifications, and prion mechanisms. We will also assess their contributions to tumor development. We aim to develop drug candidates that can modulate p53 aggregation, thereby establishing this phenomenon as a new pharmacological target for anti-cancer therapy.
