Understanding the role of the tumour microenvironment in pancreatic cancer drug resistance

Pancreatic cancer (PanCa) patients face ~5-year survival of <5%. Resistance to current chemotherapy is a major problem. The tumour microenvironment during disease progression plays a key role in mediating drug resistance. This project aims to model the bio-physical and cellular microenvironment of PanCa to understand how they impact on drug resistance. 2D and 3D PanCa spheroid-co-cultures will be established to assess drugs under normoxic and hypoxic conditions.  

Primary supervisor: Prof Vicky M Avery

Other supervisor: Dr Elke Kaemmerer

To apply: Contact Prof Vicky Avery with your CV at v.avery@griffith.edu.au

Gut inflammation and parasite persistence in Chagas disease

This project aims to understand the impact of inflammation on parasite persistence, using in vitro models of T. cruzi gut infection. Inflammation will be mimicked using exogenous inflammatory mediators eg TNFα, IFN-γ. Fluorescence image-based techniques to assess parasite replication. Inhibitors that modulate the effects of inflammation on T. cruzi infection and replication will be assessed as future treatments for chronic infection.

Primary supervisor: Prof Vicky M Avery

Other supervisor: Dr Melissa Sykes

To apply: Contact Prof Vicky Avery with your CV at v.avery@griffith.edu.au

Intercellular mitochondrial transfer in energetic metabolism and chemoresistance of cancer cells

Mitochondria are instrumental in many aspects of cancer initiation and progression. Intercellular mitochondrial transfer has been shown to rescue mitochondrial respiration and increase the proliferation and invasiveness of cancer cells. This project aims to expand current understanding of intercellular mitochondrial transfer between mesenchymal stem/stromal and cancer cells and the impact on chemoresistance using 3D co-culture model and state-of-the-art imaging system.

Primary supervisor: Prof Vicky M Avery

Other supervisor: Dr Kah Ni Tan

To apply: Contact Prof Vicky Avery with your CV at v.avery@griffith.edu.au

Want to know more?

Get in touch with GRIDD