Harnessing cell metabolism to establish an anti-tumour stroma and for biomarker discovery

Hosts: Dr Tony Ly & Dr Alejandro Brenes Murillo

Venue: MSI Small Lecture Theatre, SLS

Abstract: Altered metabolism is a hallmark of cancer and metabolic alterations can be found both in the tumour and systemically. The overarching goal of our research is to exploit these metabolic alterations to design better treatments by targeting the tumour microenvironment, and to identify biomarkers of early disease.

Elevated production of tumour extracellular matrix (ECM) is a hallmark of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and a central driver of cancer aggressiveness and immunosuppression. We have identified specific metabolic pathways highly active in CAFs in aggressive breast tumours. I will discuss how these metabolic pathways support elevated production of tumour ECM and the impact of targeting them to oppose cancer by creating an anti-tumour, immuno-active tumour microenvironment.

I will also discuss MS proteomic methods that we have developed to study oxidative signalling dynamics and their development for biomarker discovery.

The British Society for Proteome Research (BSPR) is the UK’s national proteomics society, part of the European Proteomics Association. The society’s objectives are to advance the science of proteomics and to promote the study and research work in this and related areas for the benefit of all. Student membership to the BSPR is free for the duration of the study period. 

 Every year the BSPR selects a prominent researcher to be named the BSPR lecturer. Their objective is to promote proteomics within the UK by sharing their research and promoting the BSPR. This year the BSPR lecturer is Prof. Sara Zanivan from the CRUK Scotland Institute, where she leads a group focussed on studying the tumour microenvironment with emphasis on cancer associated fibroblasts.