We seek a talented and motivated postdoc in the area of cancer immunology to join Dr. Vivian Li’s laboratory.
Dr Li’s laboratory investigates how Wnt signalling is precisely regulated in intestinal stem cell and cancer, with the emphasis on finding new therapeutic targets. Wnt signalling is altered in nearly all colorectal cancers (CRCs), yet there are significant challenges in targeting the Wnt pathway due to its pivotal role in tissue homeostasis of many body system. Deciphering Wnt signal control in mammalian intestine is key to study stem cell homeostasis, cancer and tissue regeneration. Details of research projects currently being undertaken can be seen at: https://www.crick.ac.uk/vivian-li/.
Rising evidence suggests that targeted therapies and immunotherapies can improve treatment and survival rate of cancer patients. Immunotherapies have provided new promising therapeutic approaches to cancer treatment using our body’s natural defences. In particular, the discovery of checkpoint inhibitors has opened up exciting avenue for cancer treatment with remarkable response in cancers such as melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. However, majority of CRCs have shown resistance to treatment with checkpoint inhibitors in the clinic. The project will focus on studying the underlying mechanism of resistance to immunotherapies in CRCs using 3D organoid models.