Early Career Researchers Meet, Greet & Talks

Join our monthly meets to meet fellow Early Career Researchers from across the University interested in biology, engineering, design, computer science, bioethics and more. This is a great opportunity to meet ECRs from other schools and departments, share knowledge and ideas, establish connections and collaborations and find out more about EngBio activities such as funding calls and support.

Each session will host 1-2 lightening talks from ECRs covering research, tools & technologies, and fields & applications of synthetic and engineering biology. This will be followed by informal discussion (and free food and drink!).

This month's event will be held Monday 18 November, 12pm at the Postdoc Centre, Mill Lane featuring 2 talks:

Alex Evtushenko, Dept of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology

Title: Protein Nanotechnology for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

Alexander Evtushenko is a final-year PhD student in Prof. Ljiljana Fruk's lab at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. Enabled by, or perhaps in spite of his engineering background, his doctoral research is focussed on treating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, one of the deadliest cancers. His approach is based on a new class of protein nanoparticles, which can deliver therapeutic small molecules, peptides or nucleic acids and are currently undergoing detailed in vivo studies.

Cheng (Ben) Wei, Dept. of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology

Title: Pancreatic Cancer Polyploid Giant Cancer Cells Post Chemotherapy: An Alternative to Senescence.

Cellular senescence, a state in which cells cease to cycle, commonly occurs in cancers after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. However, pancreatic cancer cells are particularly resistant to these therapies, and some of the surviving cells become polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs). PGCCs share many characteristics with senescent cells, yet they exhibit a stem cell-like phenotype. These cells could potentially contribute to cancer recurrence and metastasis; thus, they are of particular research interest.

For questions of queries, please contact Vicky Reid at coordinator@engbio.cam.ac.uk.