The lab: Marine group
Lab's research themes:
Using Melanoma as a disease paradigm, our research group focuses on the mechanisms by which (cancer-specific) non-mutational (i.e. epigenetic and (post-)transcriptional) events contribute to cancer evolution. We study fundamental aspects of cancer biology: from the identification of the cell(s)-of-origin, dissection of the mechanisms that contribute to tumor initiation and metastatic dissemination, as well as the emergence of therapy resistance. We aim to dissect (and target) the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms that confer cancer cells with specific “driver” phenotypic properties such as drug tolerance & relapse-initiating, tumor-fueling and metastasis-initiating competencies. Through our long-standing collaboration with UZLeuven clinicans (and pathologists, we embrace a bed-to-bench-and-back approach. This involves running investigator-driven clinical trials, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to profile unique (longitudinal) clinical samples, meticulously modelling disease-specific events in mice to dissect underlying mechanisms, conduct perturbation experiments and test innovative therapeutic regimens, and ultimately translating our findings back to patients for a comprehensive and iterative full research cycle.
Our work is currently centered on 3 related axes:
• PRIMARY TUMOR BIOLOGY
• METASTASIS
• PLASTICITY THERAPY
Merits of the lab:
Our lab is recognized for its pioneering research in cancer biology, combining deep molecular insights with a translational focus. We employ advanced technologies, such as high-throughput screening and molecular profiling, to dissect the complex networks that govern cancer cell behavior. A key strength of our lab is its integration of basic science with clinical applications, ensuring that our discoveries lead to actionable therapeutic strategies. Collaborating with global leaders in oncology, we are at the forefront of translating molecular research into next-generation cancer therapies that can impact patient care.
Why do we train medical doctors in our team?
Training medical doctors is integral to our approach of translational cancer research. Their clinical expertise provides critical insight into the practical challenges of treating cancer, ensuring that our research is aligned with patient needs. By engaging medical doctors in our lab, we foster a collaborative environment where scientific discoveries can be swiftly applied to clinical settings. This exchange of knowledge enhances the development of targeted therapies and precision medicine, equipping doctors with the tools to implement innovative treatments that emerge from our molecular research.
The position
Meet Shijie!
Biosketch
Shijie Tang was born in January 1995 in China and is now a Ph.D. student majoring in immunotherapy resistance of melanoma in LMCB of VIB. She finished her bachelor’s and master’s degree at Fujian Medical University in China and graduated as a cum laude. She was awarded the National Scholarship of Graduate Students in 2021. In her master’s training, she focused on mesenchymal stem cell regenerative medicine in treating knee osteoarthritis, wound healing, and enhancing fat graft retention. She published seven articles on her research work (3 as first/co-first author). After graduating, she worked as a surgeon at Fujian Medical University Union Hospital for residency training. At the end of 2022, she applied and was enrolled as an Emerald MD-PhD fellow.
University awarding the PhD
Shijie is enrolled in the KU Leuven doctoral programme.
I decided to become a physician because…
I’m a dreamer. I hope I can actually do something good for people. Healing the wounded, and treating the ill, is kind of the most magic and cool job in the world. The physician can bring people hope. I don’t want to be the one knowing patients’ disease or death and only feeling sorry for them. I want to be the one that can make a difference in patients’ lives.
But also, I wanted to become a scientist because…
I think it’s because I’m beginning to understand the sentence “Science is the best job in the world”. I always wanted to be even just a little drop in the river of medical progress, cause there are vast areas that need to be improved. The number of incurable diseases far exceeds that of curable ones. A larger group of researchers is needed to make unremitting efforts to promote the development of medicine.
What I am working on?
I’m interested in dissecting the extent and origin of intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) in drug naïve primary melanoma. My project aims to understand the mechanisms deployed by melanoma cells to evade immune cell recognition and attack and, in particular, in samples exposed to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB); and finally how one can make melanoma cells more visible to the immune system and sensitize melanoma to ICB.
Why is this important to me as a medical doctor?
This is an exciting field to extricate the knowledge about melanoma and work with advanced scientific protocols. I believe that these techniques and skills will be helpful to make an impactful contribution in the future. And also, this will be an ideal opportunity for me to grow and learn from the experts. My former experience and lab work will expedite my learning curve and I foresee myself contributing to scientific knowledge on this topic soon.
Who am I besides a future physician-scientist?
I like singing and cooking, little dreams about being a singer or cook (kidding).
