Decoding Myeloid Cell Regulation of Cancer Metastasis and Therapeutic Response

About the Project

This project aims to decode the diverse roles of myeloid cells within tumour microenvironments, particularly in pancreatic cancer. Using cutting-edge, multidisciplinary approaches, it will uncover how these cells influence disease progression and treatment response, driving new strategies for more effective, personalised cancer therapies.

Solid tumours are heavily infiltrated by myeloid cells, highly adaptable immune cells that play critical and sometimes opposing roles in cancer progression. Distinct myeloid cell populations can either suppress or promote tumour growth, influence metastatic spread, and shape how tumours respond to therapy. Understanding this functional diversity is key to unlocking more effective treatments.

This PhD project will investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern myeloid cell behaviour within the tumour microenvironment, with a particular focus on hard-to-treat cancers such as pancreatic cancer. The successful candidate will explore how myeloid cell states are established, how they evolve during disease progression, and how they impact therapeutic outcomes.

The project offers training in cutting-edge, multidisciplinary approaches, including single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, flow and mass cytometry, proteomics, advanced imaging, and bioinformatics. Research will integrate pre-clinical models with analysis of patient-derived samples, providing strong translational relevance.

You will join a collaborative and supportive research environment, gaining expertise in tumour immunology, systems biology, and data-driven approaches to cancer research. This project is ideal for candidates interested in bridging fundamental cell biology/immunology with clinical impact.

For more information about our research interests please visit our lab website: www.livtme.com