Isolation and characterisation of circulating tumour cells

Liquid biopsies, which capture circulating tumour cells in the blood, are a useful, non-invasive way of monitoring tumour spread and drug response. Our laboratory studies the diversity and biological properties of cancer cells captured in blood. This helps improve the diagnosis of patients, predict drug response and, in the longer term, develop cancer treatments personalised to a patient’s specific cancer.  

Follow tumour progression using cellular tracking

Each cell collected from a patient’s tumour can be labelled with tags or ‘barcodes’, allowing us to determine which subpopulations of cells in the tumour contribute to metastasis, organ specificity and drug-resistance. We are particularly interested in the effect of different microenvironments or ‘niches’ on the survival of cancer cells and the progression of disease.

Test new drugs in advanced models of metastatic breast cancer

Our laboratory is interested in developing ways to test the effect of various drugs on the survival of circulating tumour cells or metastasis. In particular, we focus on testing the effect of new targeted therapies on metastatic progression.