Synthetic Biology, Microbiome, Gene & Cell Therapy

As various research fields progress, so too do potential avenues towards the development of improved cancer treatment and detection strategies arising from these disparate research fields. The microbiome of cancer patients represents one such evolving avenue. Differences in the composition of the gut microbiome between different cancer patient cohorts have been reported for several years, and the existence of a tumour microbiome is receiving increasing attention (the ‘oncobiome’). Following such characterisation studies by our team (‘what’), we pursue ‘so what’ studies to understand any significance and mechanisms of interactions with the body. For development of medical interventions, we apply our findings in ‘now what’ studies. For example, we engineer designer bacteria (tumour-colonising bacteria) and designer proteins as therapeutics or diagnostics (Principal Investigator: Professor Mark Tangney).

Listen to Professor Tangney speak about his work in Microbiome & Cancer Research on UCC FM here.

Precision Oncology Ireland

Tumour responses to treatments can vary widely. The microbiome is now being recognised as a major modulator of disease and therapy response in cancer. Recent evidence shows that the microbiome, both within the gut and within tumours, can modulate responses to cancer therapy and susceptibility to toxic side effects.   

The aim of this project is to investigate the influence of the microbiome on responses to cancer therapy, and to exploit this knowledge in developing better treatments. This research is currently being carried out both in laboratory models and using clinical samples from patients.  

The impact of this research will be the development of personalised treatment strategies for cancer patients, based on their microbiome profile. This project is providing a fundamental insight into microbiome dynamics during cancer progression and therapy, and opening new avenues for developing diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. 

BCRF: Microbiome Immunotherapy Neoadjuvant Assessment (MINA) 

This research is a joint effort between Prof. Mark Tangney and Prof. Roisin Connolly, funded by BCRF. The project focuses on investigating the intra-tumour and stool microbiome of patients with triple-negative breast cancer. The main aim of the study is to evaluate the change in breast cancer microbiome composition pre- and post-neoadjuvant therapy in patients with early stage TNBC undergoing neoadjuvant systemic therapy.

Clinical Microbiome Studies Underway