Dr A Moller
No more applications being accepted
About the Project
The Tumour Microenvironment Laboratory focuses on how specific processes between cancer cells and surrounding non-tumour stromal cells influence cancer progression and metastasis to distant organs. In particular, our work aims to understand how low oxygen (hypoxic) environments and other stress conditions change the physiology between tumour cells and stromal cell lineages. Additionally, we aim to understand the role hypoxia plays in generating receptive secondary metastatic sites (pre-metastatic niches). The work conducted in the Tumour Microenvironment Laboratory is focused on the translation of research findings to benefit patients.
Exosomes are small microvesicles secreted by cells and contain various proteins, mRNA and miRNA. Exosomes are emerging as a key cell-to-cell communication method, which importantly can be used for long-distance transfer of messages from one tissue to another. Our current work identified that breast and lung cancer cells secrete exosomes with unique protein and RNA content. Hypoxia is not only capable of increasing exosome secretion, but also changes the protein and RNA composition.
In this project, exosomes from breast and lung cancer cells will be isolated and analysed for morphology, composition and abundance using state-of-the-art equipment. Exosomes derived from genetically modified cell lines will be identifiable by fluorescence. Exosomes secreted by cancer cells will be traced in animals to determine the tissues in which exosomes accumulate. Tissues and cell lineages will be tested for their ability to take up exosomes, and the functional modifications in the behaviour of the recipient cells will be assessed. Key interests of the laboratory are cells of the innate and adaptive immune response, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. The impact of cancer cell-derived exosomes on anti-cancer responses of immune cells will be tested in vitro using assays for activation, cytotoxicity, in conjunction with ELISA-based methods and complemented by flow cytometry.
http://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/page/Lab/Tumour_Microenvironment/
Funding Notes
For further information about submitting an Expression of Interest for the QIMR Berghofer International PhD Scholarships: http://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/page/Students/University_students/PhD_Scholarship_Opportunities/International_PhD_Scholarship/