FUNDACIO INSTITUT D'INVESTIGACIO EN CIENCIES DE LA SALUT GERMANS TRIAS I PUJOL – Badalona, Barcelona
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who wishes to advance his/her scientific career in a friendly and stimulating environment within the field of translational cancer immunology research.
The goal of this PhD thesis is to expand our understanding of TAM biology, contribute to the development of our immunotherapy by elucidating its full mechanism of action and possibilities, and ultimately advance the development of a novel cancer treatment. A distinctive feature of this position is the opportunity for the PhD student to work in close collaboration with TAM Therapeutics, our spin-off dedicated to the regulatory, clinical and commercial development of this research. This synergistic relationship will provide the candidate with invaluable insights into the translational aspects of scientific discovery, bridging the gap between academia and industry.
The candidate will thus not only gain expertise in cutting-edge research but also acquire knowledge and skills essential for the practical application of findings in preclinical and clinical settings, significantly enriching their academic and professional development.
The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors has significantly improved outcomes for patients with advanced malignancies. However, a substantial proportion of patients either do not respond to these therapies or eventually develop resistance. Combining immunotherapies that target distinct immunosuppressive mechanisms may enhance treatment efficacy or circumvent resistance.
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are educated by the tumor microenvironment to adopt a tolerogenic phenotype, promoting tumor progression. These cells constitute the predominant immune infiltrate within tumors, making them a highly promising therapeutic target in immuno-oncology.
Our goal is to further develop a novel, first-in-class immunotherapy targeting TAMs. We identified a critical checkpoint in the induction of tolerogenic macrophages, with great potential for many solid tumors. We are performing studies in TAM biology, consisting of clinical observations, basic research and mathematical modelling, to contribute to the development of a new monoclonal antibody-based therapy, which is able to reprogram TAMs from their tolerogenic state to a pro-inflammatory one. These analyses will be combined with preclinical studies in mice; we have shown that administration of our therapy alters the intratumoral microenvironment, changing the immune cell population profile (including TAM phenotype), decreasing blood vessel abundance, and increasing the inflammatory milieu, to overall reduce tumor progression.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
Conduct in vitro functional and phenotypic analysis of macrophages and immune cells in the context of cancer using primary cells and cell lines.
Participate in the execution of preclinical cancer models in mice and sample analysis.
Investigate biomarker expression in human samples employing techniques such as immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, or RT-PCR-Sequencing.
Additional Responsibilities:
Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the research field through literature review.
Analyze and interpret experimental data, contributing to manuscript preparation.
Actively participate in laboratory meetings, IGTP seminars, and national/international conferences.
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