Grant Number:	1OT2CA320187-01 Interpret this number
Primary Investigator:	Abelin, Jenn
Organization:	Broad Institute, Inc.
Project Title:	Illumine - Dark Proteome
Fiscal Year:	2026

Team ILLUMINE Abstract Cells produce a previously under-appreciated class of non-standard proteins collectively termed the dark proteome that are not encoded by known open reading frames or explained by DNA mutations. The biological origins, regulation and functional role of the dark proteome in normal tissues and cancer remains largely unknown. This challenge aims to uncover the mechanisms that give rise to dark proteome products and to define their connection to the oncogenic state. Team ILLUMINE led by Reuven Agami (Netherlands Cancer Institute) brings together interdisciplinary researchers with expertise in cancer biology, proteomics, genomics, chemistry, technology development and clinical translation. The program will address four central questions: who the dark proteome players are, whether and how they are (dys)regulated in cancer, how they function, and how they can be therapeutically exploited. In addressing these questions, ILLUMINE will address major gaps in knowledge.





None