Project Description

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterised by rapid progression and low 5-year survival rates driven mainly by high frequency of brain metastases. Early detection of metastases could dramatically improve survival rates. Liquid biopsies, which involves sampling circulating tumour cells (CTCs) from blood, offer a minimally invasive approach for early diagnosis and disease monitoring but current capture methods lack sensitivity and often provide limited molecular information.

In this project we will explore molecularly imprinted nanoparticle (nanoMIP) protein binders and probes to bind specific surface marker EpCAM and cancer cell-specific glycans for CTC analysis

The captured CTCs will be analysed using well-established single-cell RNAseq. The nanoMIP -captured cancer cells will also be subjected to droplet microfluidics, one of the most promising high-throughput methods for effectively processing the MIP-probe-positive individual cells for RNAseq analysis by using our standard pipeline.

We will finally use cutting-edge bioinformatics data science tools developed in-house to analyse and integrate RNAseq and proteomics results from the cancer cells isolated from the blood-based liquid biopsies. The study will unravel relationships between tumour-specific RNA and protein expression to reveal new understandings of tumour biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Methods that allow for the isolation of CTCs and a subsequent analysis in efficient and robust ways would overcome limitations using conventional methods. MIPrecise will explore MIP-binders and MIP-probes to bind specific surface marker EpCAM and cancer cell-specific glycans for CTC analysis.

The project will be conducted through interdisciplinary collaborations with the partner teams and will integrate clinical and preclinical tumor biology with chemistry with focus on biomarker discovery and validation. The study will translate our technologies to the advancement of precision oncology.

Candidate requirements

Candidates must have a master’s degree (or equivalent) in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Tumor Biology, Material Sciences or Biomedicine with a solid background in practical experience in experimental laboratory work is essential. Practical work in tumor and microscopic imaging technologies is expected, and applications in cell experiments is an advantage. Preference will be given to applicants with interdisciplinary experience directly related to the tumor biology and omics technologies. Strong scientific writing and presentation skills in English are required.

Supervisor information

Jenny Persson, Professor of Tumor Biology and Head of the Group, Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Sweden.

Phone: +46-706391199

Mail: jenny.persson@umu.se

URL: https://www.umu.se/molbiol