Photo : Dr T芒nia Cruz (researcher, TMI group, i3S), (Associate Professor, , University of Malta), (Lecturer, , University of Malta), (PhD student, , University of Malta and TMI group intern, i3S), Prof. Maria Jos茅 Oliveria (TMI group leader, i3S), and Diogo Est锚v茫o (PhD student, TMI group, i3S).
After initiating a new research collaboration during a conference in Seville, , a third year PhD student at the University of Malta, was hosted by the Tumour and Microenvironment Interactions (TMI) group at the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto. Headed by Prof. Maria Jos茅 Oliveira and working alongside Diogo Est锚v茫o (a PhD student) and Dr T芒nia Cruz (a post-doctoral researcher), Nathan received specialised training and carried out pre-clinical cancer research. The aim of this two-month placement was to develop and optimise lung cancer spheroids for pharmacological research and to test an anti-cancer compound using these in vitro 3D cell culture models. Apart from serving as an intrinsic part of his PhD project, the gained expertise will be shared with other students and peers at the University of Malta for the advancement of cancer research.
This research endeavour involved thorough discussions on various research techniques and approaches, while in-depth insights were provided by the collaborators at i3S. This was a perfect opportunity to better understand and appreciate the importance of the tumour microenviroment and its implications in pharmacological research. Additionally, this two-month placement was a great opportunity to strengthen the collaboration with the TMI group. During this time, Nathan together with his supervisor and co-supervisor , attended the 1st Symposium on Iron Metabolism in Cancer which was organised by the collaborating team. Dr Vanessa Petroni Magri and Prof. Anthony Fenech were part of the panel involved in reviewing the presentations during the symposium. An in-person meeting between the main members of Maltese lung cancer group and the collaborating members of the TMI group was held at the institute in Porto in order to discuss the possibilities of this placement and several other research opportunities. Moreover, Nathan was invited to present his research at an event organised for PhD students, and attended a conference organised by ASPIC-ASEICA on cancer immunology, tumour microenvironment and metastasis, both events being held at i3S.
This placement was funded by a Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) Internationalisation Partnership Awards Scheme + (IPAS+) scholarship which was ranked first in Malta. Nathan is undergoing his PhD studies on lung cancer treatment at the , at the University of Malta.
'An experience which provided expansive knowledge and boosted my passion for cancer research. The integration of the tumour microenvironment in the context of pharmacology has the potential to significantly propel the discovery and development of novel cancer therapies. Extremely grateful for being hosted so well, for the training received and for the opportunity to work alongside great scientists. These weeks working at i3S in Porto not only provided me with invaluable skills, but exposed me to new ideas which will be critical for further research in the cancer field. I thank everyone involved and look forward to continue to extend our collaboration. Deo Gratias.'
- Nathan Vella
