TRACER 3D cultures to unravel the role of myoepithelial cells in breast cancer progression

Cancer cells can be expanded and studied alone outside of the body in two-dimensional plastic dishes. These simplistic conditions lack the genetic variation and complex signals found in human tumours that tell cancer cells to grow uncontrollably and spread throughout the body. To effectively identify the signals that fuel breast cancer spread and develop clinical therapies to stop them, scientists require new ways of growing cancer cells outside of the body. The student will receive world-class training in Canada to build innovative three-dimensional ‘mini tumour models’ that better mimic the native environment of cancer cells. By combining different cell types, they will investigate how cancer cells communicate and corrupt non-cancerous cells including neighbouring immune cells, to fuel their own growth. Using newly gained expertise, the student will establish this unique method of fabricating and analysing ‘mini-tumours’ back in the UK to sustain and develop new long-term collaborations in Canada.

Faculty Supervisor:

Alison McGuigan

Student:

Partner:

Queen Mary, University of London

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Life Sciences (not health); Biotechnology; Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

University of Toronto

Program: