Rabia Saleem: My Portuguese Journey

I’m in my third year of a PhD at RCSI and recently completed an RCSI-funded secondment. Reflecting on it, it has been one of my most enjoyable and valuable experiences so far. Coming back to Ireland after the secondment feels great. I’m feeling refreshed and eager to dive back into my work.

I spent my placement at the University of Lisbon’s Department of Pharmacy, working in Prof. Helena Florindo’s lab. Everyone was super welcoming, which made it easy to settle in and get started without any stress.

Most of my time in the lab was spent preparing biodegradable nanoparticles using a peptide from my project. I also got to run some ex vivo experiments and even joined in on in vivo work under supervision, a completely new and really exciting experience for me. The best part was seeing some promising results come through, which was really encouraging.

Outside the lab, Lisbon was just a lovely place to spend time. I picked up a little Portuguese, enjoyed the sunshine, and appreciated the relaxed pace.

Now that I’m back, I’m excited to finish up the last bits of my project and build on what I learned during the secondment. Overall, it was an amazing experience, both for my research and personally.

Written by Rabia Saleem, the IRC PhD student

Looking at Brain Tumors, One slice at a Time 

’m writing to you from the Biomedicum, a research facility at the University of Helsinki. As you can probably guess, I didn’t travel here for the Finnish weather, but to collaborate with a team that is part of the European Mac4Me consortium. This group specialises in a fascinating imaging technique called multiplex immunohistochemistry. In simple terms, they take patient tissue samples or samples created in the lab and cut them into incredibly thin slices—just 4 micrometres thick, which is about 4/100ths of a millimetre. They then use multiple rounds of staining with antibodies to visualise different tumour markers and map out exactly where these markers are located within the sample. You can see an example of this stained tissue below. 

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma samples stained for 4 different markers using multiplex immunohistochemistry. 
Viiklepp K Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2025 

For this project, I brought along different versions of a “brain-like” hydrogel I’ve created in the lab. These hydrogels have varying stiffness and molecular compositions, and they contain Neuroblastoma tumour cells growing within them (you can see simple cell staining below). My goal here is to use the lab’s advanced imaging machine to observe how these tumour cells behave. I want to see if they are multiplying, if they seem stressed or healthy, and how they adapt to the different molecular environments of the hydrogels. 

This approach will be incredibly valuable for studying how the tumour’s surroundings—the microenvironment—influence the spread of Neuroblastoma to the brain. It will also help us understand what happens when we add new molecular components to the hydrogel to more closely mimic the brain environment. Looking ahead, I plan to use this same technique for an even more complex experiment: by growing immune cells together with the neuroblastoma cells, I hope to visualise and identify the specific pathways the cancer cells use to communicate with and potentially suppress the immune system. 

Neuroblastoma cell line (in blue) in a hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel. Day 1 left and day 5 right. 

Written by Pierluca Cancellieri, Mac4Me MSCA PhD

My 1st Mac4Me Secondment – Nottingham 2026

It’s great to be back! Returning to the University of Nottingham for my secondment with PeptiMatrix feels like coming full circle since finishing my undergrad here.

Stepping into the lab felt instantly familiar. Because I already knew the layout, I could breeze through the initial induction and training and get straight into the exciting part: the science.

I have to say, the lab is so well-organised, and it’s packed with some impressive new kit. I’ve already spotted an automated cell culture system and a 3D printer, but the equipment I’m most excited about is the rheometer, which will be central to my project.

I also got hands-on right away, learning how to make peptide hydrogels and even how to encapsulate cells into them. It’s amazing to see the building blocks of tissue engineering coming together right before my eyes.

There are plenty more cool things planned for the coming weeks. I’ll be sure to keep you updated on the journey.

Written by Chunyu Yan, Mac4Me PhD student

Two New-Minted PhD in 2025!

What a year – two young and talented postgraduate students have been minted with a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in September and December of 2025. They are Dr Lin Ma and Dr Ronja Struck. Hard work and dedication are the cornerstones of this challenging but rewarding journey.

They sailed through scattered showers and sunny spells, gale winds and stormy snow with sunshine developing elsewhere, turning chilly under clear skies on some days with temperatures below/above zero. The full spectrum of emotions and hard work was spiced up by the uncertainty of COVID-19 restrictions. Well done to Ronja and Lin!

My greatest thanks to Lin’s examiners Prof Sue Burchill (University of Leeds, UK),  Dr Joan Ní Gabhann-Dromgoole  (RCSI, Ireland) and the independent chair Prof Kevin McGuigan (RCSI, Ireland)!!

My greatest thanks to Ronja’s examiners, Prof Martina Rauner (Dresden University, Germany), Prof Fabio Quondamatteo (RCSI, Ireland) and the independent chair Dr Inmar Schoen (RCSI, Ireland)!!

This work would not be possible without the generous support from the Irish Research Council (Research Ireland) and the Conor Foley Neuroblastoma Cancer Research Foundation to Ronja, and from the RCSI-Soochow University StAR International PhD Programme to Lin.

Hi Everyone! I’m Anusha

Hi, I am Anusha from India. I recently joined Dr Olga’s team at RCSI as a research fellow.  I completed my PhD in the development of nanomaterials for image-assisted cancer therapy. After that, I had an amazing run as a research scientist for 7 years, working in cancer immunotherapy. Work focused on the development of nanomaterials for the delivery of immunomodulatory drugs and on engineered adjuvants for therapeutic cancer vaccines. Then came my lil son Aadi, and I took a two-year break. When I was actively looking for positions after my break, I thought of writing a Marie Curie grant, and that’s how I met Dr Olga. Dr Olga then offered me a position at RCSI to work on neuroblastoma. I am just incredibly grateful for this opportunity and to be part of an amazing team, especially after being away from the lab for a while. It’s a new role, a whole new world here in Dublin, and I am waiting to see what exciting things come next.  

Falling in love with the Irish coast @ Donabate 

Written by Anusha Ashokan

How cancer cells communicate?

Hot off the press! The study carried out by Thomas Frawley during his PhD has just been published in Journal of Personalized Medicine.

Cancer that is resistant to treatment is a big challenge because it often leads to lower survival rates. Tumour cells release small extracellular vesicles, which can influence other cells in the body by carrying various proteins. The study focused on understanding what proteins are in these particles from resistant and sensitive cancer cells and how they affect non-cancerous cells, like those involved in forming blood vessels. Our study discovered that these packages from resistant cancer cells contain special proteins involved in how cells produce and use energy. These findings suggest that these proteins could be used as markers to monitor disease progression or treatment response, using less invasive methods such as blood tests.

A schematic summary of Frawley’s study, also known as a graphical abstract. J. Pers. Med. 2025, 15(12), 584; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm15120584 (registering DOI)

Understanding how resistant cancer cells influence their surroundings could lead to new ways of diagnosing and treating high-risk neuroblastoma. Detecting these proteins through blood tests could help personalise treatment strategies, making them more effective without the need for invasive procedures. This research opens the door to using tiny particles from blood to better understand how cancer progresses and responds to therapy.​

I’m Pierluca!

Good afternoon, readers! Pierluca here, writing to you as one of the newest members of this incredible team. For those who haven’t met me yet, I’m a PhD student joining the RCSI family for the next three years.  

My story starts in Brindisi, a charming harbor town in southeastern Italy. From there, my academic journey took me to the Netherlands.  During my two research projects, I explored how high-fat diets impact liver metabolism and investigated ways to prevent metabolic reprogramming and cell death.  

Now, I’m bringing that curiosity to RCSI, where my focus is shifting to something even more complex: cancer metastasis. In the lab, I’ll research how neuroblastoma invades the brain to form metastases. Using 3D bioprinting and scaffold models, I’ll grow Neuroblastoma Kelly and Kelly-cis cells to observe how they infiltrate brain-like structures and hijack the immune system.  

Science is intense, so balance is key! When I’m not in the lab, you’ll find me Hiking when the sun is shining or Playing cards in a cozy pub when the rain pours. Cooking with friends is a great way to spend some relaxing time at home and when I am alone, I enjoy a good book (currently reading The Master and Margarita, highly recommend!). 

Stay tuned for more about me and my research! 

Written by Pierluca Cancellieri, Mac4Me PhD student

Hi everyone! I’m Chunyu

Hi everyone! I’m Chunyu, and I’ve recently started my PhD journey in the field of bioengineering and neurobiology. My academic background includes an MRes in Biomedical Research from Imperial College London, where I developed a deep interest in microfluidic technologies and their applications in disease modelling. 

Currently, my PhD project focuses on identifying the function of macrophages—the body’s frontline immune cells—when they first interact with neuroblastoma (NB) cells using a brain and liver organ-on-a-chip (OoC) model. By recreating these organ environments on a chip, I aim to explore how macrophages respond to NB invasion and how this early interaction might shape the progression of the disease. This research could open new doors for early intervention and treatment strategies in childhood cancers like neuroblastoma. 

When I’m not in the lab, you’ll probably find me outside—going on hikes, enjoying a good swim, or finding a tasty Hotpot restaurant. I love blending my curiosity for science with a love for the outdoors, and I’m excited to share updates from both worlds as I go through this PhD journey. 

Thanks for stopping by, and stay tuned for more science and a few outdoor adventures along the way! 

Written by Chunyu Yan, Mac4Me DC

Colouring cells in research

Sometimes, the most fascinating parts of science are invisible to the naked eye—like in these images captured with a confocal microscope! 

What you’re seeing here are DC 2.4 cells, a mouse dendritic cell line. These immune cells are key players in recognising foreign substances (like bacteria, viruses, or even cancer cells) and activating the body’s immune response. 

In this experiment, we cultured the DC 2.4 cells on a sponge-like material composed of collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAG), two natural components commonly found in body tissues. This material is called a scaffold, and it provides cells with a 3D surface to grow on, more closely mimicking their natural environment within the body. 

To make the cells visible under the microscope, we used two fluorescent stains: 

  • DAPI (blue), which marks the nucleus—the control centre of the cell, 
  • Phalloidin (green), which highlights the actin filaments that give the cell shape and structure. 

We’re testing how well these immune cells survive, attach, and spread on the collagen-GAG scaffold over time. By utilising a 3D environment, we can gain a deeper understanding of how cells behave in more realistic conditions. This is especially important for research into cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development. 

This image tells us that the DC 2.4 cells can successfully grow and interact with the scaffold! 

Written by Federica Cottone

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

 Childhood cancer is an umbrella term for many other types of this disease. Cancer is the 2nd most common cause of death among children after accidents.

Every September, many charities, researchers and parents of children with cancer work hard to raise awareness of this cancer. You may learn more about kids with cancer, their loving families, the doctors and caregivers who look after them and treat them, the young survivors of cancer and those kids and teens who lost their battle, and the scientists who work hard to find a way to stop childhood cancer.

The RCSI Cancer Bioengineering group is excited to announce our upcoming fundraising event! Join us for a Charity Night Pub Quiz on September 24th at 6:00 pm in Slattery’s D4 pub., in honour of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. All donations will go to the Conor Foley Neuroblastoma Cancer Research Foundation (CFNCRF).

Test your trivia knowledge, win great raffle prizes, and make a difference together! Our pub quiz is open to everyone, with friends and family encouraged to attend. We can’t wait to see you there! 

If you’re unable to make it but still want to support our fundraising efforts, we would greatly appreciate your donation. Please either buy the Raffle tickets or donate directly via the CFNCRF.