Extracellular matrix and mechanics
We investigate how collagen organisation and tissue mechanics affect cancer-cell behaviour, invasion and plasticity.
Our research
Cancer doesn’t
act alone.
We study how the physical organisation of tissue and its immune neighbourhoods influence cancer progression.
Our approach
Spatial immune biology
We use multiplex tissue imaging and spatial analysis to study relationships between cancer cells, immune cells and the extracellular matrix.
Computational pathology
We develop and apply AI methods to study tissue morphology, molecular features and potential biomarkers from pathology images.
Current projects
DERMIS
2026–2028Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard support for our research at the intersection of extracellular matrix biology, spatial analysis and cancer.
Award details →B cells and matrix topography
Eve Guild’s Cancer Research UK PhD project investigates B-cell dynamics and extracellular matrix topography in melanoma.
Second supervisor: Prof Sophia Karagiannis
Multimodal AI for spatial biology
Bahar Sevgin’s BBSRC PhD project develops uncertainty-aware multimodal deep learning for morphologically ambiguous biological boundaries in melanoma.
Second supervisor: Dr Ziquan Liu
Industry-linked digital pathology
Sayali Dinesh Shinde’s MRC iCASE studentship connects academic research with industrial partner Panakeia Technologies.
Second supervisor: Prof Claude Chelala
From models to patient tissue
Our work combines 3D collagen and organotypic models with multiplex immunohistochemistry, spatial tissue profiling and computational analysis. We use these complementary approaches to test biological mechanisms and investigate their relevance in patient samples.
Selected publications