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Background. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) represent the most frequent leukemia in adults. Despite recent advances in treatments, CLL remains a deadly uncurable disease. This cancer is caracterized by an accumulation of abnormal, apoptosis resistant, B lymphocytes in the blood and lymphoid organs of the patients. CLL progression is highly dependent on complex interactions between tumor cells and their microenvironment. Indeed, CLL cells can modify stromal cells and immune cells to promote their survival and to escape from the immune surveillance system.

Objectives. Our team focuses on the mechanisms leading to leukemia progression, in particular the influence of CLL cells on stromal cells and immune cells located in their microenvironment, with the goal to identify new prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.

Training and research environment. Tumor Stroma Interactions research group is a dynamic and multinational team whose current members originate from France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain and Argentina. It belongs to the Department of Oncology, whose research activities focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tumor progression using a wide range of cutting edge technologies, including mass cytometry, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, as well as in vitro and in vivo techniques using state-of-the art animal models for cancer research. Master students will assist one of our projects that aims to explore the interplay between leukemic cells and their microenvironment, and will be co-supervised by Dr. E. Moussay (PI), Dr. J. Paggetti (PI) and experienced scientists from the team.

Selected references (open access): Paggetti J, et al. Exosomes released by chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells induce cancer-associated fibroblast formation. Blood 126(9):1106-17.

Wierz M, et al. Dual PD1/LAG3 immune checkpoint blockade limits tumor development in a murine model of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood 131(14):1617-1621. (IF:15.132)

WHAT WE OFFER AND CONDITIONS

• Students will have the opportunity to work in an interactive and international scientific environment, attend conferences by eminent scientists from abroad, and present their own work during lab meetings.
• They will receive training in basic biochemistry, molecular and cell biology techniques, such as Western-blotting, real-time PCR, and cell culture, as well as confocal imaging, flow cytometry and in vivo experiments on mouse models.
• Mouse experimentation practice and FELASA (or equivalent) diploma would be considered as an asset.
• Applicants should be enrolled in a Master program and internship should be a mandatory part of the diploma.
• English is mandatory.
• Students from abroad can apply for an Erasmus grant.

REF.: SG/INTLEUK0520/JP/TSI

Available for 6-9 months – full time – Start date 2020/2021

CONTACTS

More information about the group can be found here : https://tsi.lih.lu

Scientific contact

Dr. Jérôme PAGGETTI, PhD

84 Val Fleuri

L-1526 Luxembourg

LUXEMBOURG

jerome.paggetti@lih.lu