Date/Time
Date(s) - 27/11/2025
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Location
BT2 Detente / Kitchenette 1st Floor Room 101
Categories
Do you like scientific discussion? And how about Pizza?
If we gained your attention with ‘scientific’, or at least with ‘Pizza’, then you are already looking forward to the right event!
Pizza Club is a regularly held Journal Club event co-organized by The Representatives of the Doctoral Programme in Systems and Molecular Biomedicine, part of the Doctoral School in Science and Engineering (DSSE); and the Uni.lu student association ISCB RSG Luxembourg.
In short, Students (PhD candidates) present a scientific paper (+- 20 mins) they find interesting or that inspired the development of their individual PhD project (doesn’t need to be authored by the speaker).
This event’s speakers are :
– Joy DARCIS (https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-darcis-26a177252/)
Introduction: Joy is a third-year PhD student at the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), working in the Immuno-Pharmacology and Interactomics. Her research focuses on the molecular biology of atypical chemokine receptors (ACKRs) ,particularly ACKR3 and ACKR5, and their role in cancer development and progression.
Presentation: Modular cytokine receptor-targeting chimeras for targeted degradation of cell surface and extracellular proteins (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-022-01456-2)
Abstract: In this study, cytokine receptor-targeting chimeras (KineTACs) were developed to send extracellular and cell surface proteins to lysosome for degradation. KineTACs are genetically encoded bispecific antibodies, with one arm binding to a cytokine receptor and the other recognizing a chosen target. This modular design enables selective removal of diverse cell surface proteins across tissues. This modular design enables selective removal of diverse proteins across tissues, including therapeutically relevant targets such as PD-1 in cancer.
-Leonie THOMAS (https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonie-thomas-55396a201/)
Introduction: Leonie is a student in Computational Biology in the group of Thomas Sauter, working on bulk, single-cell, and sequencing-based spatial transcriptomics, with a focus on integrating transcriptomic data into constraint-based metabolic modelling.
Presentation: Spatial transcriptomics reveals substantial heterogeneity in triple-negative breast cancer with potential clinical implications (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-54145-w)
Abstract: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly heterogeneous disease lacking defined molecular targets and effective patient stratification strategies. This study applied spatial transcriptomics integrated with histomorphological analysis to a large cohort of 94 TNBC patients. By mapping gene expression within the tissue context, the authors uncovered spatially distinct molecular programs reflecting tumour–microenvironment heterogeneity. These spatial signatures enabled stratification of TNBC into biologically and clinically relevant subgroups, offering a framework for more targeted therapeutic approaches.
There will be a open discussion round after each scientific presentation (2-3 students per event), followed by informal and fun chatting with some pizzas around!
Moreover, each presentation of peer-reviewed papers will be rewarded by 0.5 ECTS!
If we attracted your interest by now, feel free to join the monthly Pizza Club, either as part of Audience or as a registered Speaker. For the latter, please kindly use this form to sign up as an upcoming Speaker, by choosing your category of paper and desired month to present. Looking forward to seeing you at the next Pizza Club!
