Ana Añazco Guenkova is a PhD student at the Centro de Investigación del Cáncer in Spain who received an EACR Travel Fellowship to visit and work at the CRUK Scotland Institute in the UK between August and September 2024.
The EACR, with support from Worldwide Cancer Research, provides Travel Fellowships of up to €3,500 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: Ana Añazco Guenkova
Job title: PhD student
Home institute: Centro de Investigación del Cáncer in Spain
Host institute: CRUK Scotland Institute in the UK
Dates of visit: 01 August – 30 September 2024
Other organisations that funded your trip: COST Action
Research: Immune cells are responsible for protecting our body against infections, viruses, and abnormal cells. My research focuses on how the amount and distribution of these immune cells within prostate tumours change throughout the progression of prostate cancer. Additionally, I study how immune and tumour cells influence each other during this process. To investigate these questions, I used spatial analysis techniques like multiplex imaging, developed in John Le Quesne’s lab, which allows me to identify different types of immune cells in the tumour environment using specific antibodies.
Why did you choose the host lab?
I chose Prof. John Le Quesne’s lab because they are leaders in deep phenotyping of solid tumours. My project involves immunophenotyping murine prostate tissues and tumours, and I believe their expertise in the relationship between epigenetics and tumour morphology is a perfect match for what I want to explore. Plus, the lab is at a well-equipped institute with access to advanced technologies like automated multiplex tissue staining and Akoya spectral deconvolution. I’m confident that this collaboration will help us understand how changes in epitranscriptomic marks affect immune responses in prostate cancer.
Describe a ‘typical day’ on your visit.
I typically arrived between 8 and 9, as I had a very flexible schedule. Most of my time was spent optimising different antibodies for my multiplex staining. I prepared the slides and reagents for the Ventana machine and checked the stainings from the previous day, always consulting with the lab team to see if they thought it was appropriate to move on to the next step. Additionally, I attended various seminars at the center each week. During my free time, I learned how to use the analysis software, so I would be ready to analyse my images once I had them.
What were you able to do that you could not have achieved in your home lab?
Since I’m studying the immune composition in the prostate tumour environment, I’ve already developed a single-cell RNA sequencing in my home laboratory. However, I didn’t have any spatial information. This internship has been crucial, since John’s lab has cutting-edge machinery to develop multiplex imaging in the prostate tumour and very professional staff that have showed me how to analyse the complex data that can be obtained from these images.
Did you take part in any interesting local activities?
Glasgow is a lively city full of cultural activities. My favorite part was the live music everywhere; you could find talented musicians performing on the streets and in almost every pub.
It was great to enjoy traditional Scottish music while having a pint or their typical haggis. While walking down the street, I often came across incredible artists playing the piano and other instruments, adding to the city’s lively atmosphere.
Was there anything you particularly liked about the host insitution?
I really appreciated the environment at both the lab and the institution as a whole. The CRUK Scotland Institute has a collaborative and friendly atmosphere. Whenever I needed assistance from different services or other labs, everyone was more than willing to help. It was also great to meet people from various fields, not just PhD students and postdocs, which made the experience even richer. I truly enjoyed the positive atmosphere in the lab!
How has the trip inspired you in your research?
This experience has significantly influenced my professional development. Beyond mastering new techniques and concepts, it has introduced me to a new way of approaching scientific inquiry. Immersed in a diverse community of people with different backgrounds and perspectives, ranging from pathologists to bioinformaticians, I had the invaluable opportunity to learn from each of them.
This exposure has helped me develop a more holistic understanding of cancer research. Coming from a basic research lab, attending various seminars and symposiums here connected me more closely with the clinical side of cancer research and emerging spatial techniques that provide valuable data from tumour samples.
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.
