About this role
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Position Summary:
Research Project: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive form of breast cancer, difficult to treat due to the absence of targeted therapies. Despite good initial results with chemotherapy, ~40% of treated TNBC patients will ultimately present a small number of remaining cancer cells, known as drug-tolerant persister (DTP) cells, linked to poor outcomes. Importantly, DTP cells can survive therapy through acquired adaptations rather than genetic changes, making understanding the mechanisms of acquired resistance of DTP cells essential to improve TNBC patient outcomes.
Our group hypothesizes that DTP cells rely on factors from the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as oxygen levels, physical forces, and biological signals from nearby cells. Unfortunately, current laboratory models do not realistically reproduce the TME, limiting both the study of DTP resistance and treatment testing. Moreover, new Canadian regulations encourage reduced animal use in research, increasing the need for advanced laboratory tumor models.
To address this gap, we will develop innovative miniature lab-grown tumor models (i.e. tumoroids) that closely mimic real TNBC tumors and their TME, using microfabricated systems. Our tumoroids will be established from TNBC patient-derived cells and cultured using our lab-on-a-chip system, and validated against matched patient samples characteristics and treatment response. Using this system, we will map DTP cells distribution within tumoroids, identify druggable molecular targets in DTP cells and test the efficacy of treatment strategies using both new and repurposed drugs.
Overall, our project aims to reveal how the TME supports DTP cell survival, helping us identify new ways to better treat aggressive TNBC and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
Professional development: Conducting the research will help the Postdoc deepen her expertise in cancer biology, and more specifically in breast cancer. Indeed, her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering focused on developing a microfluidic chip to help biologists study hypoxia rather than delving into cancer biology. In addition, her research was conducted using soft-tissue sarcoma models only. Therefore, she did not have the opportunity to learn specific biological and experimental methodologies such as transfection, spatial transcriptomics or the use of animal model. Through this posdoctoral project, she will develop new experimental skills and expertise in biology and breast cancer research. Our lab offers an ideal environment for her to develop such skills, as we have all the necessay ressources both in terms of equipements and personnel. Indeed, she will work closely with Dr. Monica Lara-Marquez (Postdoc) and will be supported by our research associate Anne-Marie Fortier and Stéphanie Duhamel. While she already has some experience supervising student, managing research project and writing grant from both her Ph.D and previous Postdoc, in our lab she will have the opportunity to supervise both Master's and Ph.D. students, manage their research project as well as participate in writting grant application. Supervising students, managing research projects and writing grants are essential competencies to develop during a postdoctoral fellowship.
Qualifications: PhD in related field
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McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing.
McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.
At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.
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