Lessons from the microbes within us; developing next generation immunotherapeutics
Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute Immunology Workshop 2025
📅23rd and 24th October 2025
📍CRUK Scotland Institute
For further information or to get involved contact: kendle.maslowski@glasgow.ac.uk
|Overview|
Overview
Immune checkpoint blockade therapies have revolutionised cancer treatment; while they are ineffective for many cancer types, they have set the precedent the immune system has the potential to eradicate cancer.
We can learn a lot from host—microbe interactions. Some infections drive robust immune responses, while others can actively suppress the effective immunity. By understanding immune activation and suppression during infection we can gain insight into the types of immune responses seen in tumours. Using this we can develop novel approaches to induce robust anti-tumour immunity.
This workshop will bring together different perspectives from experts in Immunology, Microbiology and Cancer Biology (and mixtures thereof!). We will explore what lessons we can draw from host responses to a range of microbes as well as tumour-intrinsic innate signalling and delve into use of microbial therapies in other clinical settings.
We will be inviting abstract submissions, particularly from ECR’s, to contribute to our exciting line up of speakers.
|Speakers|
Speakers
CJ Anderson, University of Edinburgh
Martha Clokie, University of Leicester
Rebecca Drummond, University of Birmingham
Daniel Humphreys, University of Sheffield
Lucy Jackson-Jones, Lancaster University
Cecilia Johansson, Imperial College London
Simon Milling, University of Glasgow
Kevin Myant, University of Edinburgh
Eileen Parkes, University of Oxford
Virginia Pedicord, University of Cambridge
|Programme|
Scientific Programme
The current programme can be found below and is subject to change.
DAY 1 - Thurs 23 October
| 08:30 - 09:15 | Registration & Refreshments |
| 09:20 - 09:30 | Welcome |
SESSION 1 |
LESSONS FROM THE LUNG |
| 09:30 - 09:40 | Introduction by Ed Roberts |
| 09:40 - 10:25 | Cecilia Johansson & Anna Farias, Imperial College London |
| 10:25 - 10:40 | Selected Short Talk (1) |
| 10:45 - 11:00 | Break |
| 11:05 - 11:50 | Lucy Jackson-Jones, Lancaster University & James Parkinson, University of Manchester “Co-ordinating immune responses in the pleural cavity” |
| 11:50 - 12:05 | Selected Short Talk (2) |
| 12:05 - 13:00 | Lunch |
SESSION 2 |
LESSONS FROM MICROBIAL CUES INTO THE TUMOUR MICROENVIRONMENT |
| 13:05 - 13:15 | Introduction by Kendle Maslowski |
| 13:15 - 14:00 | Rebecca Drummond & Sophie Rouvray, University of Birmingham “Similarities between fungal-infected macrophages and tumour-associated macrophages: what can we learn?” |
| 14:00 - 14:15 | Selected Short Talk (3) |
| 14:20 - 14:35 | Break |
| 14:40 - 15:25 | Virginia Pedicord and Puspendu Sardar, University of Cambridge "Coley's toxins come of age: microbial drivers of ICI response" |
| 15:25 - 15:40 | Selected Short Talk (4) |
SESSION 3 |
ROLES OF MICROBIAL-INDUCED CELL DEATH AND SENESCENCE IN ANTI-CANCER RESPONSES |
| 15:40 - 15:50 | Introduction by Andrew Davidson |
| 15:50 - 16:35 | CJ Anderson and Sam Benson, University of Edinburgh “Death-dependent dysbiosis fuels chemotherapeutic injury” |
| 16:40 - 16:55 | Break |
| 16:55 - 17:10 | Selected Short Talk (5) |
| 17:10 - 17:55 | Daniel Humphreys, University of Sheffield “Tumour suppressor mechanism manipulation by Salmonella enterica” Salma Srour, University of Sheffield “Typhoid toxin of Salmonella Typhi elicits host antimicrobial response during acute typhoid fever” |
| 17:55 - 18:00 | Round up of Day 1 |
| 18:00 - 19:00 | Pre-dinner activity |
| 19:00 - 21:00 | Social evening with Refreshments and Curry Buffet |
| 21:00 | Coach departs from Institute |
DAY 2 - Frid 24 October
| 08:45 - 09:10 | Arrival with tea/coffee |
SESSION 4 |
TUMOUR CELL INTRINSIC INNATE SIGNALLING |
| 09:10 - 09:20 | Introduction by Johan Vande Voorde |
| 09:20 - 10:05 | Kevin Myant and Sebastian Pohl, University of Edinburgh “Leveraging RNA splicing inhibition to enhance immunotherapy efficacy in immune-cold colorectal cancer” |
| 10:05 - 10:20 | Selected Short Talk (6) |
| 10:20 - 10:35 | Selected Short Talk (7) |
| 10:40 - 10:55 | Break |
| 11:00 - 11:45 | Eileen Parkes, University of Oxford “Playing with fire: immunity and chromosomal instability” Aglaia Skolariki, University of Oxford "Multiomic characterization of chromosomal instability in gastroesophageal cancer" |
SESSION 5 |
MICROBIAL THERAPIES IN THE GUT |
| 11:45 - 11:55 | Introduction by Kendle Maslowski |
| 11:55 - 12:10 | Selected Short Talk (8) |
| 12:10 - 12:25 | Selected Short Talk (9) |
| 12:30 - 13:25 | Lunch |
| 13:30 - 14:15 | Simon Milling and Tom Fenton, University of Glasgow “Nutritional warfare: Targeting the microbiota to treat inflammatory disease” |
| 14:15 - 15:00 | Martha Clokie and Rachael Wilkinson, University of Leicester “Bacteriophages and the cancer associated microbiome” |
| 15:00 - 15:15 | Round up of Day 2 Short Talk Announcement Close and depart |
|Register|
Register
Abstracts
Abstract submissions are now closed.
Submitted abstracts will be reviewed by the organising committee. Presenters will be notified approximately two weeks prior to the event if they have been selected for a short talk.
Key Dates
Abstract submission deadline: CLOSED
Registration closes: Friday, 10th October 2025
Workshop: 23rd – 24th October 2025
Registration Fees
Student registration rates are reserved exclusively for Master's and doctoral degree candidates. Proof of student status will be required on arrival. Professionals at other levels, including postdocs, are required to register at the full registration rate.
| Category | Cost |
| Standard rate | £150.00 |
| Student rate (MSc & PhD) | £100.00 |
Registration will include all event catering over both days, including an evening social on Thursday 23rd. All rates are inclusive of VAT.
Photography
Photography will take place at this event for CRUK SI promotional and archival purposes. This may include newsletters, publications, marketing emails, webpages, and social media.
If you do not wish to be featured, please email: conference@crukscotlandinstitute.ac.uk or speak to a member of staff at reception.
Code of Conduct
Click here to view CRUK Scotland Institute's code of conduct.
|Venue|
Venue
Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute (formerly the Beatson Institute)
Garscube Estate
Switchback Road
Bearsden
Glasgow G61 1BD 
Email
Travel
By air
Glasgow International Airport is more convenient than Prestwick. It will take approximately 20 minutes to the Institute by taxi. Further information can be found directly via Glasgow Airport and Edinburgh Airport websites.
By bus or train
Download the West Coast Motors app to access all bus timetables.
Take the train to Westerton station if travelling from Glasgow Queen Street or Glasgow Central station. It is 10-15 minutes on foot to/from the Institute.
By car
Car parking is available at the Institute and subject to availability at a flat rate charge of £9 per day or £4.50 per half day. Booking is required in advance of attending. Taxi contacts
1st Taxis: +44 (0)141 956 3333
Glasgow Taxis: +44 (0)141 429 7070
Full information on how to find us can be found on our website.
