The IMMUNO-CRC project was conducted via 6 work packages (WP). Using a variety of molecular and sequencing techniques in WP1-3, we have:
1. Established a preclinical mouse model of CRC (i.e. a mouse that shows the biological characteristics of human colorectal cancer disease), using microbiota from patients with CRC.
2. Used this mouse model to study how different microbiota groups affect the immune response, and in turn how this controls the progression of CRC.
3. Shown that a ‘protective’ microbiota-type reduced tumour growth
4. Shown that different microbiota types affect cancer development at different rates
The IMMUNO-CRC project contributed to enhancing the knowledge and expertise of the fellow in the most current techniques and approaches in microbial genomics, metagenomics and microbiota-host interactions. The project has also brought together researchers from very diverse backgrounds within the host lab in a collaborative manner.
In WP 4, for technical training and transfer of knowledge, the fellow attended 6 intensive training workshops and courses, including the prestigious Scientists Teaching Science online course, organized by the New York Academy of Sciences. She attended 1 international conference and she will be giving a short talk at the Microbiome Meeting (virtual), organized by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, in October. To transfer knowledge, she provided supervision and mentoring of early career researchers.
In WP5, for personal and career development, the fellow acquired transferrable skills in communication and leadership, as she co-founded and chairs the APC Postdoc Association. One of her roles as the chair of the APC Postdoc Association is to organize career seminars for postdocs, including interviewing leaders in the microbiome field. Last spring 2020 semester, the fellow also started lecturing the Immunology Course to undergraduate students at University College Cork. This involved the preparation of lectures, support material for the class, lectures and exam preparation. The fellow also attended the EMBO Laboratory Leadership Course for Postdocs. Finally, in June 2017, the fellow was awarded a PARSUK Xperience Supervisor Award, funded by PARSUK and Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian.
In WP 6, for communication and dissemination of results, there are currently 3 original research articles in preparation, which are expected to be submitted by the end of the year. As the Coordinator and Project Manager of the Native Scientist workshops in Ireland, the fellow has been heavily involved in education and science communication to younger pupils with an ethnic minority or migrant background.
