Cancer cells are known to consume higher amounts of glucose (Warburg effect or aerobic glycolysis) associated with upregulated expression of genes involved in glucose metabolism. In our experimental work with glucose metabolism, we identified a previously undescribed subpopulation that is able to survive in the absence of glucose supply.

One of our key tools is the assembloid model—a cutting-edge 3D culture system that mimics the complexity of human tumors by incorporating cancer cells with supporting stromal and immune components. This model enables us to test drug responses in a patient-specific context, offering a powerful platform for predicting treatment outcomes and guiding personalized therapeutic decisions.