Anisha Jain is a PhD student at the JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, in Karnataka, India who received an EACR Travel Fellowship to visit and work at the Instituto Oncologico Dr. Rosell (IOR) in Barcelona, Spain between March and June 2023.
The EACR has joined forces with Worldwide Cancer Research to provide Travel Fellowships of up to €3,000 to enable early-career cancer researchers to gain new skills through a short-term visit to a lab or research group in another country.
You can read about other Travel Fellows and their experiences here.
Name: Anisha Jain
Job title: PhD student
Home institute:JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, Karnataka, India
Host institute: Instituto Oncologico Dr. Rosell (IOR), Barcelona, Spain
Dates of visit: 09 March – 05 June 2023
Research: KRAS G12C-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a specific type of lung cancer with poor survival rates. Sotorasib is the only approved drug for it and to which resistance is caused making the drug less effective. Most NSCLC cell lines over-express MET. SHOC2 protein is involved in the growth of KRAS-mutant cancer cells, and its inhibition can reduce tumour growth. Also, a protein called AQP5 is associated with poor prognosis in lung cancer. This research focuses on understanding these mechanisms of resistance and testing the combinations of tepotinib (MET inhibitor) with potential treatments in NSCLC cell lines.
Why did you decide to apply for an EACR Travel Fellowship?
Once I received the recommendation letter from Dr. Rosell, the next thing I knew was to apply for a Travel Fellowship that could provide the necessary financial support that I would have otherwise lacked as I did not have the means to fund the project on my own. I was fortunate enough to be given a second chance to reapply for the EACR Travel Fellowship and luckily the EACR Committee granted it to me and I could finally pursue my overseas project in Barcelona, Spain. Without it, I would have been unable to cover the expenses associated with transportation, accommodation, meals, and visa fees. Ultimately, the Travel Fellowship made it possible for me to undertake this trip, providing a unique global perspective and the potential for significant impact through the project.
How did you choose the host lab?
I selected IOR as my host lab based on my strong interest in exploring my research area and gaining experience under the guidance of an oncologist in identifying an effective therapeutic approach for NSCLC. Dr. Rafael Rosell is the Chief Medical Officer and President of the Instituto Oncologico Dr. Rosell in Barcelona, Spain. I initially contacted him via email regarding one of his publications on KRAS. After a successful virtual meeting on 01 April 2022, he kindly provided me with a recommendation letter and subsequently held several virtual meetings to develop a research proposal for our collaborative work.
Can you summarise the research you did?
Together with Dr. Rosell’s team, our focus was on targeting KRAS G12C and understanding the potential mechanisms of resistance to sotorasib. After a brief literature review, we discovered that the SHOC2 phosphatase complex and Aquaporin 5 play important roles in inhibiting KRAS. We also found that KRAS amplification occurs in MET inhibitor-resistant exon 14-mutant NSCLC, while MET amplification is observed in sotorasib-resistant KRAS G12C NSCLC.
Using Structure-based drug design, we conducted docking studies of several drugs with the aforementioned target proteins. We evaluated the cytotoxic effects of sotorasib (KRAS G12C inhibitor), celastrol (SHOC2 inhibitor), Acetazolamide (AQP5 inhibitor), and tepotinib (MET inhibitor) on both H358 Parental and H358 Resistant cells in 2D (adherent) and 3D (spheroids) cultures.
Additionally, we examined the expression of various cancer biomarkers in the treated cells of both 2D and 3D cultures. Throughout the project, my colleagues generously guided me in techniques such as Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), immunohistochemistry, handling of resistant cells, growth of spheroids, and nanoString nCounter® Analysis Systems.
Describe a typical day on your visit.
The journey from my apartment to the laboratory took approximately 45 minutes by metro, involving transfers at two stations. Throughout my time there, Dr. Rosell and his assistant, Ms. Stephanie, consistently checked on my wellbeing and ensured I was comfortable both at my apartment and in the workplace. The rest of my lab mates warmly greeted me and made me feel at ease throughout my stay. Dr. Jessica, a junior scientist, and Dr. Jordi, a senior scientist, who were assigned to guide me in my project, patiently addressed all my queries and closely supervised me during the experiments.
Within the lab, Dr. Ana, a good friend of mine, shared the same cabin where my bench space was located. She always joined me for lunch and took the initiative to teach me how to use the nanoString instrument. Additionally, she would notify me whenever she performed a new experiment that I wasn’t familiar with.
Weekly meetings were held with Dr. Rosell and the team to discuss the work plan and future directions. Moreover, I had the opportunity to participate in collaborative meetings with other renowned scientists working in similar research fields, thanks to Dr. Rosell. I consider myself fortunate to have had such supportive mentors throughout my journey.
“I am eager to share this knowledge with my fellow PhD scholars and inspire them to consider applying for such short visits for their personal and professional growth”
What were you able to do that you could not have achieved in your home lab?
Pangaea Oncology at IOR is a laboratory focused on precision oncology, personalised medicine based on genetic analyses to improve survival and quality of life for cancer patients. Its diagnostic and R&D services division provides a range of genetic testing and other diagnostic services for cancer patients. Here, I had the access to latest equipment and technology such as nanoString, NGS, immunohistochemistry related instruments. This was a valuable opportunity, as my home lab lacks this equipment. I was able to learn the procedure of conducting fluorescence in situ hybridisation from the tissue samples of cancer patients and how the treatment was personalised based on the obtained results.
By coming to IOR, I have definitely had close ties to leading experts in the field of cancer research which has been invaluable to mine as well my team’s research and development in my home institute. Having an international lab experience is also an asset to my research portfolio and academic standing. It has given me a broader perspective on cancer research and has helped me to develop new collaborations. Overall, my time at the IOR was a positive and productive experience.
Have you brought back any specific knowledge or technique that has benefited your home lab?
My home institute is looking forward to open a Centre of Excellence in Oncology and I am confident that the knowledge and techniques I have learnt in Barcelona like the automated technologies related to FISH technique (BenchMark ULTRA IHC/ISH System from Roche, Leica Autostainer XL ST5010, ), nCounter® Analysis System from NanoString Technologies, QIAsymphony SP and AS instruments by QIAGEN, will benefit my home lab in establishing the new infrastructure. I am eager to share this knowledge with my fellow PhD scholars and inspire them to consider applying for such short visits for their personal and professional growth.
“It was a life-changing experience, and I made memories that will last a lifetime”
Was the host institute very different from your own?
Yes, the host institution in Barcelona was indeed different from my own home institution. One of the aspects I particularly liked about Pangaea, was its state-of-the-art facilities and resources. Moreover, the collaborative and inclusive environment at Pangaea was exceptional. The researchers and staff were welcoming, supportive, and eager to share their expertise. This friendly atmosphere created a sense of camaraderie among the team, making me feel like a valued member from the very beginning. The international diversity within the host institution was another aspect that stood out to me.
Did you have a personal mentor or anyone who particularly helped you?
Dr. Rosell has been a fantastic mentor for me throughout my overseas project. He showed genuine interest in my proposal right on, and he never stopped encouraging me. Dr. Rosell’s commitment to his mentees is what makes him stand out as a mentor in the truest sense. He made sure I was at ease and supported throughout my stay by regularly checking on both my personal and professional well-being. He promoted a sense of community and collaboration within the lab. Junior scientist, Dr. Jessica and senior scientist, Dr. Jordi, who were tasked with assisting me with my study, patiently answered all of my questions and closely supervised me while conducting the experiments. They continue to work diligently on this project even though I have returned to India in order to provide positive findings for the remaining assays.
Did you take part in any interesting local or cultural activities?
Barcelona undoubtedly has a magical environment that combines history, art, cuisine, and festivities. I was enthralled by the city’s many charms as a visitor. I toured the tapas pubs, went to the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, climbed Mount Montserrat, and went shopping on La Rambla. Unforgettable experiences were strolling through the crowded streets of La Rambla and seeing the charming Gothic Quarter. The lively ambiance of neighbourhood markets like Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria provided an opportunity to savour the culinary delicacies of the city. I also made time to visit some of the other cities in Spain. I visited Nerja, Granada, Marbella, Granada, and Costa Brava. On each of my solo journeys, I met new people and had an amazing time getting to know their cultures. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have explored Spain on my solo trip. It was a life-changing experience, and I made memories that will last a lifetime.
Does your lab plan to do any future collaboration or publication with the host lab?
Yes, definitely JSS AHER and IOR will have future collaborations. My supervisor at JSS AHER is already in talks with the higher officials to have a collaboration with IOR by signing a Memoranda of Understanding. We have planned for applying for National and International grants in the field of Oncology. My supervisor at JSS AHER is already in discussions with senior officials about forming a Memorandum of Understanding-based partnership with IOR. In the area of oncology, we intend to submit applications for national and international funds. Additionally, we have discussed working together on a number of publications. In Cancer Biology & Medicine, we have already published a review article, and we are currently working on two more. Our abstracts for the ESMO Congress in Madrid in 2023 and the IASLC World Conference on Lung Cancer in Singapore in 2023 have both been approved for presentation. Other manuscripts that detail our work on cancer targeted therapeutics are also being worked on by our team.
What was a personal highlight of your trip?
Regarding work, I had the privilege of collaborating with an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team at Pangaea. Working on cutting-edge research in such a dynamic and supportive environment was truly inspiring. The guidance from Dr. Rosell, and my fellow researchers, especially Dr. Jessica and Dr. Jordi, played a pivotal role in my professional growth. Their constant encouragement and patience in clarifying my doubts allowed me to perform experiments with confidence. On the other hand, exploring Barcelona during my free time was a delightful experience. The city’s rich history, unique architecture, and diverse culture captivated me at every turn. The juxtaposition of impactful work at Pangaea and the captivating charm of Barcelona made my short-term overseas project an enriching and unforgettable journey. The balance between professional growth and cultural exploration made it a truly holistic experience that I will cherish for a lifetime.
How has this visit been beneficial to your research or your career?
The visit to Barcelona has been highly beneficial to both my research and career. It expanded my knowledge and skills in cancer research through exposure to cutting-edge technologies. Working with experts at Pangaea enhanced my research capabilities, opening up opportunities for international collaboration and joint projects. The experience fostered personal and professional growth, developing resilience and cross-cultural communication skills. This overseas project has bolstered my academic profile, increasing visibility and potential career opportunities. Overall, the visit has been transformative, shaping my research trajectory and preparing me for continued success in the field of oncology. Also, Dr.Rosell’s encouragement and mentorship have provided me with a solid foundation and confidence to pursue further opportunities at IOR for my post-doctoral studies.
Is there anything else you’d like to mention?
I am deeply grateful for the support of the EACR Travel Fellowship Committee. This fellowship has been an incredible opportunity that has helped me to grow as a researcher and as a person. Thank you again for making this possible. As I embrace this incredible opportunity, I stand ready to learn, collaborate, and innovate, knowing that together, we can create a world where cancer is but a memory and the colors of victory paint the canvas of humanity.
Want to find out more?
If you are interested in applying for the Travel Fellowship scheme, please click here for more information: EACR Travel Fellowships.
