Doctoral Researcher position in immuno-oncology – University of Turku
8.4.2024We are looking for a highly motivated doctoral researcher to join the 3-year period ImmuDocs Doctoral Education Pilot project “Macrophages and neutrophils in cancer progression”, led by Professor Jyrki Heino, University of Turku.
Project description:
Malignant tumours consist of transformed cancer cells and of numerous other cell types including cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumour associated macrophages (TAMs), neutrophils, lymphocytes and endothelial cells. All cell types regulate each others’ phenotype and behaviour and cancer progression. Extracellular matrix (ECM) – mainly produced by CAFs – is an important component of the tumour microenvironment. ECM has a major impact on cancer cells, on the efficacy of immunotherapies and finally on the disease outcome.
We have developed new 3D spheroid-based methods to study the interactions of different cell types: human cutaneous squamous cellular carcinoma (cSCC) cells, CAFs and TAMs/neutrophils. Using e.g. mass spectrometry, RNA-sequencing, microscopy and cellular assays for proliferation, phenotype/plasticity and invasion the project aims to unveil the TAM and neutrophil based regulatory mechanisms of invasion and ECM remodelling. Furthermore, our preliminary results have revealed the remarkable plasticity of TAMs. The project aims to find molecular mechanisms used by CAFs and cSCC cells to regulate TAM phenotype.
In our recent paper we showed that the spheroid model can be used to successfully screen potential drug molecules (Siljamäki et al., Oncogene, 2023. PMID: 37864034). In this doctoral project the spheroids containing three different cell types will be used to test the effects of the inhibitors of critical signalling pathways. The model also allows testing of putative drug molecules targeted to macrophages and neutrophils.
Finally, we have recently established a method to combine laser capture microscopy to mass spectrometry and shown that it is possible to get detailed information about e.g. ECM composition in different tumour areas of paraffin embedded SCC tumours and their metastases. This in vivo information is critical for interpretation of the results from in vitro experiments focused on the effects of macrophages and neutrophils on the composition and organization of the ECM.
Apply here before 22.4.2024: https://ats.talentadore.com/apply/13-vaitoskirjatutkijaa-immudocs—immunologian-alan-kansallinen-tohtorikoulutuspilotti/Zyp613?lang=en&UTUID=20325