Cell Signals & Survival: From Tumours to Wombs

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging cancers to treat. A striking feature of this cancer is that the tumour is made up not just of cancer cells, but also many non‑cancerous cells. In pancreatic cancer they are “reprogrammed” by the cancer cells and turned into helpers that support tumour growth and make the cancer harder to treat. Our research group aims to understand the relationships between these non-cancerous cells and the cancer cells. By learning how they communicate and influence one another, we hope to find new and more effective ways to treat pancreatic cancer.

"The placenta is a baby's life-support system – its active metabolism working constantly to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the growing fetus. At its core are mitochondria, tiny powerhouses that use oxygen to burn fats and sugars to keep everything running. But oxygen supply is not always guaranteed, and even small changes can push the placenta’s carefully tuned metabolism in unexpected directions. Understanding how the placenta adapts its metabolism under stress could help explain why some pregnancies are harder than others, what this means for mothers and babies, and how science might help.
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