Research
Project Overview
My research investigates the translational relevance of the STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) pathway and viral CMV co-infection in follicular lymphoma (FL). The project combines high-content patient cell and tissue profiling with functional assays to understand how STING signalling shapes the tumour immune microenvironment, influences therapy response and drives viral reactivation in FL. This work is funded by North West Cancer Research (NWCR).
Aims
• Characterise activation states of the STING pathway across FL patient tissues and relate these states to clinical features and therapy response.
• Determine how viral reactivation (e.g., latent herpesviruses) interfaces with STING signalling in the tumour microenvironment.
• Develop and validate multiplexed detection strategies (protein and nucleic acid) for STING pathway components in fixed tissue samples.
Methods / technical approach
• Imaging mass cytometry and mass cytometry for single-cell and spatial proteomics.
• Metal-conjugated nucleic-acid detection for mRNA localisation in fixed samples.
• Functional assays (ex vivo immune cell assays, proliferation) and targeted microscopy imaging method development to link phenotype with mechanism.
Funding & recognition
North West Cancer Research (NWCR) — project supported by the lab’s NWCR award Excellence in Research, 2024. [NWCR news story — ISMIB, University of Liverpool]
Reversat et al., Technical detection of STING pathway components in fixed tissues., European Journal of Immunology, in press.