The Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, invites you to a scientific seminar and PhD defense highlighting how single-cell and spatial analyses are transforming our understanding of cancer biology. The event brings together research on cancer cell plasticity, the tumor microenvironment, immune responses to therapy, and metabolic heterogeneity, explored from tissue biopsies down to individual cells.
Opponent Seminar
Date: Thursday 19 February 2026
Time: 1315-15:00
Venue: Aud 2, MH1
The day before the PhD defense, the opponents will give open scientific lectures related to their own research. The seminar is open for everyone.
13:15-14:10: Professor Diether Lambrechts, VIB KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, Belgium
Single-cell Analysis of Expanding T-cells and their Tumor Antigens during Checkpoint Immunotherapy
This lecture will describe the dynamic changes occurring in the tumor microenvironment during checkpoint immunotherapy, based on longitudinally sampled tumor biopsies. Using single-cell and spatial analysis approaches, immune niches predictive of treatment response will be discussed. The talk will highlight immune-suppressive versus immune-supportive myeloid cell populations, expansion of cytotoxic T cells associated with clinical benefit, and tumor antigens recognized by T cells during immunotherapy. Finally, translational perspectives combining personalized tumor vaccination strategies with checkpoint immunotherapy will be briefly addressed.
14:10-15:00: Professor Siver Andreas Moestue, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU
Lipid metabolism in breast cancer metastasis – from biopsies to single cells
This lecture will explore how metabolic profiling can address several unmet needs in breast cancer research. Significant metabolic heterogeneity has been identified in clinical material, highlighting potential diagnostic applications. Furthermore, metabolic pathways may reveal novel therapeutic targets.
From a mechanistic perspective, the lecture will focus on lipid profiling to better understand the relationship between metabolism and cellular characteristics during epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Drawing on both recent and earlier studies, examples will be presented using NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry to investigate metabolic diversity from tissue biopsies down to single-cell resolution.
PhD Defense
Candidate: Saikat Das Sajib
Date: Friday 20 September 2025
Trial lecture: 10:15
Defense: 12:15
Venue: Tabletten
Trial lecture title:
How Cancer Cell Plasticity and an Adaptive Tumor Microenvironment Drive Treatment Resistance in Breast Cancer
Thesis title:
Breast Cancer Plasticity and Microenvironmental Dynamics: A Mammary and Developmental Perspective on EMT Heterogeneity
When: 19.02.26 at 13.15–15.00
Where:
Aud 2, MH1
Location / Campus: Tromsø
Target group: Employees, Students, Guests
Responsible: Erik Knutsen