Internship Position in Leukemia Research (Master's students) - AL0425

We are currently seeking a candidate for a 6 to 12 months internship to join the Tumor Stroma Interactions research group (Led by Dr. E. Moussay and Dr. Jérôme Paggetti) within the Department of Cancer Research at the LIH. Applicants should be enrolled in a Master's program, and the internship should be a mandatory part of the degree.

BACKGROUND

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

OBJECTIVES

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

TRAINING AND RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT

The Tumor Stroma Interactions research group is a dynamic, multinational team with current members from France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Germany, Italy, and Argentina. It is part of the Department of Cancer Research, where research activities focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tumor progression, using a wide range of cutting-edge technologies, including genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses, as well as in vitro and in vivo imaging modalities using state-of-the-art animal models for cancer research. The post-doctoral researcher will work on a large, FNR CORE-funded project aimed at exploring the complex interplay between CLL cells and immune cells in the microenvironment. The project will be co-supervised by Dr. E. Moussay (PI) and Dr. J. Paggetti (PI).

Recent related  references (open access): Gargiulo, E., Viry, E., Morande, P. E. et al.  Extracellular Vesicle Secretion by Leukemia Cells In Vivo Promotes CLL  Progression by Hampering Antitumor T-cell Responses. Blood Cancer Discov  4, 54-77 (2023). https://doi.org:10.1158/2643-3230.BCD-22-0029

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

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

GENDER EQUALITY

The LIH is an equal opportunities employer. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff. The LIH is attentive to gender representation among its leadership staff and aims to eliminate obstacles to the recruitment and promotion of female leaders and their career development.