Characterising a novel innate immune signalling pathway in tumour-associated macrophages by proteomics

The immune system and particularly tumour-associated macrophages have become the main target for anti-cancer therapy (Yang et al, Cancer Res, 2018; Lapenna et al, Nature Rev Immunol, 2018). This exciting project will use cutting-edge proteomics to characterise a novel innate immune signalling pathway in macrophages and characterise its role in cancer. This may open up new avenues for cancer treatment.

Proteomics is a remarkably sensitive method to identify and quantify large numbers of proteins in biological samples such as stem cells, cancer or immune cells and has revolutionised biology by allowing global analysis of cellular events. Our lab has in recent years successfully developed novel proteomics methods and applied them in various areas of including macrophage biology (Hartlova et al, EMBO J, 2018; Miettinen et al, EMBO J, 2018; Trunk et al, Nature Microbiology, 2018). In this project you will learn and apply this exciting technology to understand the roles of a specific signalling pathway in macrophages and their role in cancer. In addition you will have the opportunity to learn many other molecular biology, cell biology and biochemistry techniques such as generation of Crispr Cas9 knock-out cell lines, immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry.