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 on Monday 17 February, 12pm, PostDoc Centre, 16 Mill Lane

https://www.postdocacademy.cam.ac.uk/postdoc-centres/mill-lane

featuring talks from Andrew Baker, CEB, Pharmacology

Title: Nanostructured materials for identifying and targeting cellular senescence

Abstract: There is an urgent need to improve conventional cancer-treatments by preventing detrimental side effects, cancer recurrence and metastases. Many authors have demonstrated that senescent cells accumulate in tissues treated with chemo- or radiotherapy, and this can be used to predict the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Recent evidence places cellular senescence as one of the hallmarks of cancer, however surprisingly little progress has been made in development of strategies for their detection in vivo. To address the lack of detection tools, numerous nanomaterials have been created with the aim to improve in vivo contrast for senescence detection. Herein we highlight different nanoparticle systems to trace senescent cells for improved cancer diagnosis created recently in our laboratory. We then describe nanoparticle systems to improve chemotherapy delivery to senescent cells improving treatment of senescence related diseases. Finally, we discuss future applications of nanomedicine to cellular senescence detection and treatment.

Bio: Andrew George Baker is currently a postdoctoral researcher in between the departments of Pharmacology, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge. Where his current research is focused on Nanoparticle mediated targeted protein degradation with Dr. Laura Itzhaki and Dr. Ljiljana Fruk. In 2023 he received his PhD from the University of Cambridge, supervised by Dr. Ljiljana Fruk and Dr. Daniel Muñoz-Espín. He received his BSc from Michigan State University (MSU) in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Where he studied origin of life chemistry with Dr. Robert Root-Bernstein. Thereafter, he moved into biophysical research with Dr. Matthew Comstock studying electronic bacteria and optical tweezers. Throughout this time, he also collaborated with Adam Brown, a bio-artist, where he helped create [Ir]reverent: Miracles on Demand. In his spare time, he enjoys art, climbing, and running.

and

Yash Mishra, Cellcraft.
Title:  From In Vitro Brain Models to Cultivated Meat: Journey of going from a PhD Student to Start-Up Co-Founder

Abstract: Animal farming is a leading cause of climate change, deforestation, water pollution, antibiotic resistance and infectious diseases like swine flu. Moreover, it cannot keep up with the growing demand for meat which is expected to possibly double by 2025. Cultivated or Cellcraft Meat is real meat produced by growing real animal cells in bioreactors in vitro. The world’s 1^st cultivated meat burger cost over $300k to produce and was unveiled in 2013. Even though a decade has passed since then, there is still no commercial feasible production process. We are addressing the challenges preventing the large-scale, cost-effective production of myogenic and adipogenic tissue (meat) in vitro using robust, novel technologies, including cell lines, animal component-free media, bioreactors (stirred tanks as well as novel tissue engineering systems), and novel bioelectronic sensors. Some of these technologies are inspired by and/or come from the development of in vitro brain models, so the process of tailoring technologies used in neuroscience and biomedical research for cultivated meat will be covered in this talk along with the journey of transitioning from a neuroscience PhD student to a start-up Co-Founder.

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