🔎What does an artificial tumour look like? And how can building one help us discover better ways to treat cancer? Dr Joash Joy, a postdoctoral researcher in Professor Frans Balkwill's lab, is creating elaborate artificial tumours to investigate why immune therapies don’t work well for some types of cancer. He uses a pioneering approach known as ‘tumour on a chip’ that recreates the complex and dynamic nature of tumours in living patients. Joash's latest work focuses on how ovarian cancer interacts with CAR-T cell therapy – an innovative type of therapy that trains our own immune system to recognise and fight cancer cells. While this therapy has been highly successful in treating blood cancers such as leukaemia, it has not been as effective against solid tumours like ovarian cancer. One reason may be that these cancer cells form part of an incredibly intricate neighbourhood that also includes immune cells, blood vessels, and even healthy cells, in addition to a cocktail of different chemical signals. We call these factors the tumour microenvironment, and altogether, they can create conditions that protect the cancer and suppress immune responses, blocking the effects of CAR-T cells. By accurately modelling how cancer cells and CAR-T cells interact within a realistic microenvironment, Joash aims to uncover insights that could lead to improved treatments for patients with solid tumours. In this video, we meet Dr Joy, take a look inside the intricate tumour models he has developed, and learn how this research could help make immunotherapies more effective for a broader range of patients. Queen Mary University of London | Queen Mary Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry | Cancer Research UK City of London Centre | #immunotherapy #cancerresearch
Barts Cancer Institute (Queen Mary University of London)
Research Services
A leading UK cancer research institute at Queen Mary University of London and a Cancer Research UK Centre of Excellence.
About us
Barts Cancer Institute (BCI) at Queen Mary University of London, is a leading UK cancer research institute, and key partner in the Cancer Research UK City of London Centre. Under the leadership of the Director, Professor Nitzan Rosenfeld, and supported by an Executive Board of senior investigators, we have created an academic environment fitting for an internationally recognised, comprehensive cancer centre. BCI, as part of the Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, is in the top 10 multi-faculty research institutions (REF 2014). Our staff and students focus their efforts on two objectives; how to increase the chances of survival through early detection and diagnosis; and improving patient survival through the discovery and development of more effective and innovative therapies. These objectives are underpinned by research into improving our understanding of the basic cell and molecular biology of cancer and the body’s natural immune response to it. We also use our expertise to teach and educate students and professionals about the science of and gold-standard clinical approaches to cancer, and to engage our local population. We hope to make the often difficult subject of cancer accessible to anyone that requires or is interested in our research.
- Website
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https://www.bartscancer.london
External link for Barts Cancer Institute (Queen Mary University of London)
- Industry
- Research Services
- Company size
- 201-500 employees
- Headquarters
- London
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2003
- Specialties
- Cancer research, Translational research, and Clinical research
Locations
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Primary
Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry
Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square
London, EC1M 6BQ, GB
Employees at Barts Cancer Institute (Queen Mary University of London)
Updates
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Barts Cancer Institute (Queen Mary University of London) reposted this
Around 15% of breast cancers are classed as triple negative. This form of breast cancer can be more aggressive. And there aren’t many targeted treatments for it. So we need to learn as much as we can about this form of the disease to find new and effective ways to treat it. Professor Tyson Valentine Sharp, from Queen Mary University of London, is working to better understand how a protein called CoAsy is linked to breast cancer. Around 1/3 of breast tumours have low levels of CoAsy. And it's particularly common in triple negative breast cancer. He hopes that by understanding the role that CoAsy plays in triple negative breast cancer, we can find smarter and kinder ways to treat it. And it could help us work out who’s most at risk of developing more aggressive breast cancer. https://lnkd.in/d_r3xJau
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Barts Cancer Institute (Queen Mary University of London) reposted this
Many congratulations to Professor Frances Balkwill, Professor Irene Leigh, and Professor Claudia Langenberg who have been named in Research.com’s third annual list of the country’s top 100 female scientists. Professor Langenberg is featured in the top 10. Speaking as a group, Professor Langenberg, Professor Balkwill and Professor Leigh said: “It is humbling to see our names among so many wonderful and inspiring colleagues. Our ambition is to support the next generation of outstanding female scientists to diversify our talent pool at Queen Mary and beyond. The time is now!” Frances Balkwill: Fran is Professor of Cancer Biology and Deputy Centre Lead for the Centre for Tumour Microenvironment at Queen Mary’s Barts Cancer Institute. She is a pioneer of research into cancer-related inflammation and the tumour microenvironment. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, a Fellow of the Royal Society, and received the 2006 Royal Society’s Michael Faraday Prize, an annual award that recognises a scientist or engineer whose expertise in communicating scientific ideas in lay terms is exemplary. She is Director of the Centre of the Cell, a biomedical science centre and outreach project for children in Whitechapel. Claudia Langenberg: Claudia is a German-British scientist and the Director of the Precision Health University Research Institute (PUHRI), a cross-faculty institute that works closely with Barts Health NHS Trust to research and develop innovations in precision healthcare. She was elected a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) in July 2024. A public health clinician by training, her research is focused on the genetic basis of metabolic control, and her team studies its effects on health through integration of detailed molecular with large-scale clinical data. Before joining Queen Mary in September 2022, Claudia was Professor of Computational Medicine at the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité University Medicine, Germany, where she continuous to hold a part-time role and team, and MRC Investigator and Programme Leader at the MRC Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, UK. Irene Leigh: Irene’s research has focused on non-melanoma skin cancers and genetic skin diseases. Early in her career, she established the Centre for Cutaneous Research at the London Hospital Medical College, which later became part of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. The Centre became a world leader in skin biology research. Irene’s research focuses on cutaneous squamous cell carcinogenesis particularly genomic and transcriptomic analysis. This has extended to other squamous cancers in a Centre of Excellence for Squamous Cancer being established within the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Irene is a Fellow of the Academy Medical Science and Fellow of Royal Society Edinburgh. In 2006, she was honoured with an OBE for services to medicine and then a CBE in 2012.
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🚨 We are recruiting for two exciting group leader positions in our Centre for Cancer Cell & Molecular Biology: one Reader and one Senior Lecturer. If you are a scholar with a passion for cancer cell biology and a commitment to academic excellence, we encourage you to apply. Join us in our mission to advance cancer research and improve therapeutic outcomes. ➡ Reader: https://bit.ly/3Mfk3bd ➡ Senior Lecturer: https://bit.ly/3MgTanf 📆 Deadline: 30th September 👥 Manager: Prof. Tyson Valentine Sharp Queen Mary Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry | Cancer Research UK City of London Centre | #cancerresearch
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🎉Join us in congratulating nine of our researchers who have been promoted! Promoted to Professor: ⭐Professor Andy Finch ⭐Professor Stuart McDonald Promoted to Reader: ⭐Dr Oliver Pearce ⭐Dr Kevin Rouault-Pierre ⭐Dr David Propper Promoted to Senior Lecturer: ⭐Dr Ozgen Deniz ⭐Dr Mirjana Efremova ⭐Dr Luigi Ombrato ⭐Dr Tanya Soliman The promotions recognise their outstanding work supporting cancer research and education at the BCI and across Queen Mary University of London. #promotions | Queen Mary Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry | Cancer Research UK City of London Centre
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Congratulations to our Director, Professor Nitzan Rosenfeld, who has received Early Detection and Diagnosis Programme Award funding from Cancer Research UK Science and Innovation. This long-term funding supports ambitious, exceptional science aiming to transform how and when early cancers and pre-cancerous states are diagnosed. Professor Rosenfeld's grant will support his research on earlier diagnosis in women at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer. #breastcancer #ovariancancer #earlydetection #cancerresearch | Queen Mary Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry | Cancer Research UK City of London Centre
Meet the latest cohort of #CRUKFunded researchers awarded by our Early Detection & Diagnosis Research Committee! Our researchers will use the funding to transform how and when early cancers and pre-cancerous states are diagnosed by identifying prospective biomarkers and facilitating risk stratification. 🏆 Primer Awards: Sarah Gosling (Keele University) Faezeh Arab Hassani (University of Bristol) Mary Paraskevaidi (Imperial College London) Professor John Field (University of Liverpool) Sarah Fry (Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd) Lena (Olena) Mandrik (The University of Sheffield) Anita Grigoriadis (King's College London) & Laszlo Radvanyi (Ontario Institute for Cancer Research) Daniel Middleton (Queen's University Belfast) & Ismail Hosen (University of Dhaka) Steven Ersser (Bournemouth University) Cristina Renzi (UCL) 🏆 Project Awards: Petra Hamerlik (The University of Manchester) Laura Woods & Christina Dobson (Newcastle University) 🏆 Programme Awards: Nitzan Rosenfeld (Queen Mary University of London) & Marc Tischkowitz (University of Cambridge) #EarlyDetection #CancerResearch #funding
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Barts Cancer Institute (Queen Mary University of London) reposted this
The Soliman Lab, Barts Cancer Institute (Queen Mary University of London) are looking to recruit a Clinical Research Fellow. We have a great team investigating novel targets, bridging the gap between basic biology and cancer research. Please reach out if you’re interested.
Applications are open now for our Clinical Research Training Fellow Programme! 🔬 cutting edge cancer research 👩🏽🔬 co develop a research project based on your interest 🤝 network of clinical & science trainees 🏢 working across 4 of central London's cancer research institutions 🏥 closely working with hospital partners 🗓 Start date Autumn 2025 💰 Fully funded 3-year PhD position (clinical salary based on experience) 👇 find out more👇 https://lnkd.in/gvxG9n4 #cancerresearch #Phd #clinicianscientist #UCL #KingsCollegeLondon #BartsCancerInstitute #TheCrick
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Fantastic to hear about your positive experience on our STARS schools programme Sharon! Best of luck with your studies from all of us at the BCI! Learn more about the STARS programme: https://lnkd.in/gZ9DQ_uF #STARS2024 Cancer Research UK City of London Centre
Hey network, I recently attended a Science Training for Aspiring Research Scientists (STARS) programme. It was an incredible opportunity to see cancer research and network with diverse people. This placement was held at the Barts Cancer Institute (Queen Mary University of London), established in 2004 and bringing together some of the most eminent cancer research teams in London. The BCI has one overriding objective: to conduct pioneering research that drives meaningful progress for people with cancer. The institution is leading the way in cancer research. I got a chance to hear from experts within the field on recent advancements and current projects. During the week, I performed various research techniques guided by a researcher. On Monday, we were taught how to use pipettes and micropipettes for measuring volumes and tissue culture. On Tuesday, we were taught the most common technique for separating proteins from cells, which is known as SDS-PAGE. Using prepared samples from colon cancer cells, we investigated if they had specific cancer markers using antibodies. On Wednesday, we isolated DNA from bacteria and analyzed it using horizontal gel electrophoresis. This is a fundamental process that allows researchers to produce large amounts of specific DNA in cancer research. On Thursday, we learn the principles of and do a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We also analyze 4-micron-thick sections of cancer for the presence of an important molecule, using an antibody to that molecule. On Friday, we use surgical robots that we use to teach surgeons how to do surgical procedures. This opportunity allowed me to interact with various individuals within the academic community, such as fellow students and esteemed researchers. I want to thank Professor John F Marshall and The Mayor's Fund for London for this amazing opportunity that enabled me to share ideas, ask questions, and learn several lab procedures. #STARS2024 #Cancer #Research #Student #Careers #Lab #Cells
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We recently welcomed budding young scientists to the BCI to try out their lab skills side-by-side with our researchers as part of our STARS work experience programme. Nearly fifty A-level students from schools around London took part in the programme, which aims to support young people from schools with historically low university attendance. STARS was founded at the BCI but this year expanded to include labs at UCL and King’s for the first time, thanks to funding from the Cancer Research UK City of London Centre. 💬 Professor John F Marshall, the driving force behind STARS, said: “Pursuing a career in science is exhilarating, challenging, and enables you to make a real difference to the world. But in some schools, really bright, promising young people feel that science isn’t for them. I developed the STARS programme to inspire future researchers – whatever their background – so that together, we can improve health for all.” 📰 Read more: https://lnkd.in/gZ9DQ_uF The Mayor's Fund for London | Queen Mary Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry | #publicengagement
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