Dr. Dwyer’s research focuses on cell communication in the breast tumour microenvironment, with a view to harnessing this knowledge for the development of novel gene therapy approaches for advanced breast cancer. Tumours actively recruit stromal cells including Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs), and stromal-epithelial crosstalk plays a critical role in tumour development and progression. Dr Dwyer is interested in paracrine and autocrine mediators of this crosstalk, including chemokines/cytokines, microRNAs, and extracellular vesicles (EVs). Understanding this environment will facilitate harnessing the potential of MSCs or their secreted EVs as vehicles for targeted delivery of therapy to breast tumours.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Dr. Róisín Dwyer, PhD earned her Ph.D. in Breast Cancer from University College Dublin in 2002. Following her postdoctoral fellowship, she assumed the role of a Lecturer in Translational Science in 2012 and later became an Associate Professor at the University of Galway in 2020.Dr Dwyer’s research focuses on cell communication in the breast tumour microenvironment, with a view to harnessing this knowledge for development of novel gene therapy approaches for advanced breast cancer. Tumours actively recruit stromal cells including Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs), and stromal-epithelial crosstalk plays a critical role in tumour development and progression.