Research output per year
Research output per year
Personal profile
Overview
Hypoxia is a key modulator of several signalling pathways in cancer, including those mediating tumour progression, therapy resistance, and metastatic spread. Although signalling pathways in tumour hypoxia, either regulated by or independent of HIF (hypoxia inducible factor) have been investigated, novel hypoxia regulated factors, either as biomarkers or therapeutic targets, remain uncharacterised.
Work in the Pires laboratory focuses on the continued evaluation of hypoxia biology both in the context of improved therapeutic outcomes and of novel biomarker value. We are particularly interested in exploring hypoxic biology therapeutically in the context of radiotherapy resistance, as well as novel radio sensitising strategies. Finally, we are looking at the impact of interstitial fluid flow (IFF) in tumour biology, particularly its interaction with hypoxic biology, using our ‘spheroid-on-chip’ microfluidic model.
Research interests
The Pires lab is interested in understanding and exploiting hypoxic biology for translational impact. The three key focus points in the group are:
Hypoxic Biology as Disease Outcome Biomarker, inclucing identifying novel hypoxia regulated factors and pathways (see Pires et al 2010, Pires et al 2014, Poujade et al 2018)
Hypoxia as a therapeutic context, focusing on targeting the therapy-resistant hypoxic tumour regions, exploiting hypoxic biology through targetted therapy as single agents or in combination with radiotherapy (see Pires et at 2012, Edge et al 2021, Li et al 2022)
The relationship the links between hypoxia and IFF (interstitial fluid flow) in the biophysical tumour micro environment, using 3D in vitro models of hypoxia and microfluidic platforms such as our ‘spheroid-on-chip’ model (Collins et al, 2021).
Biography
Professional Experience
2023 – present Lecturer in Cancer Biology • Division of Cancer Sciences, The University of Manchester, UK
2022 – 2023 Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science • Center for Biomedicine, HYMS, University of Hull, UK
2012 – 2021 Lecturer in Biomedical Science • University of Hull, UK
2007 – 2012 Postdoctoral Researcher • Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, UK
2002 Visiting Scientist • The University of Manchester, UK
2001 – 2002 Visiting Scientist • UMIST, Manchester, UK
Education
2014 – 2016 Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and PCAP (Postgraduate Certificate for Academic Practice) • University of Hull, UK
2011 – 2012 Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA) • University of Oxford, UK
2003 – 2007 Ph.D. Pharmacology • The University of Manchester, UK
1997 – 2002 Licenciatura (Portuguese degree) in Biology • Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
Memberships of committees and professional bodies
- ARR Trustee, LH Gray Memorial Trust (2022 – present)
- ARR (Association for Radiation Research) Executive committee (2020 - present)
- Co-Lead for the Faculty of Health Sciences (University of Hull) Athena Swan award application (2020 - 2023)
- Team leader of a University of Hull PhD studentship cluster (total associated funds £340k) (2019 – 2023)
- Organising committee for the BACR 60th anniversary Conference (2019 – 2022)
- Organising member for the Biochemical Society Lab on Chip training event (2019)
- Biochemical Society Education, Training, & Public Engagement Committee (2018 - 2022)
- Chair of the BACR Media subcommittee (2016 - 2021)
- BACR (British Association for Cancer Research) Executive committee (2015 - 2021)
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Manchester
Jan 2003 → May 2007
Bachelor of Science, Licenciatura (Portuguese degree) in Biology , Universidade de Coimbra
Sept 1997 → Jul 2002
External positions
Exec Committee Member, Association for Radiation Research
2020 → …
Invited Lecturer (MSc Radiation Biology), Oxford University
2018 → 2023
External Examiner (MRes Cancer Science), University of Birmingham
2016 → …
Association for Radiation Research
Biochemical Society
British Association for Cancer Research (BACR)
European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)
Portuguese Association for Researchers in the UK (PARSUK)
Areas of expertise
- RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer)
Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre
- Cancer
Fingerprint
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- 1 Similar Profiles
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Exploring hypoxic biology to improve radiotherapy outcomes
Wiseman, L., Okoh, E., Lind, M., Roy, R., Beavis, A. W. & Pires, I. M., 2022, In: Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine .Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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Spheroid-on-chip microfluidic technology for the evaluation of the impact of continuous flow on metastatic potential in cancer models in vitro
Collins, T., Pyne, E., Christensen, M., Iles, A., Pamme, N. & Pires, I. M., 1 Jul 2021, In: Biomicrofluidics.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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PI3K inhibition as a novel therapeutic strategy for neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy resistant oesophageal adenocarcinoma
Edge, S. D., Renard, I., Pyne, E., Moody, H., Roy, R., Beavis, A. W., Archibald, S. J., Cawthorne, C. J., Maher, S. G. & Pires, I. M., Mar 2021, In: British Journal of Radiology. 94, 1119, p. 1-8 8 p., 20201191.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
WSB-1 regulates the metastatic potential of hormone receptor negative breast cancer
Poujade, F., Mannion, A., Brittain, N., Theodosi, A., Beeby, E., Leszczynska, K., Hammond, E., Greenman, J., Cawthorne, C. & Pires, I., 1 May 2018, In: British Journal of Cancer. 118, p. 1229–1237 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Targeting radiation-resistant hypoxic tumour cells through ATR inhibition
Pires, I., Olcina, M., Anbalagan, S., Pollard, J., Reaper, P., Charlton, P., McKenna, W. G. & Hammond, E., 10 Jul 2012, In: British Journal of Cancer. 107, p. 291–299 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access