21 Innovation Forum (2023 Vol. 1)

The Tumour-associated macrophages: Nurture vs nature

Professor Toby Lawrence, King's College London

Professor Toby Lawrence graduated from the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom with a bachelor's degree. He received his PhD in Experimental Pathology at the William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and performed post-doctoral work at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. He is now Professor of Inflammation Biology at King’s College London.

Toby Lawrence's research group focused on the immunobiology of macrophages and dendritic cells with a particular emphasis on cancer，especially for the ontogeny and function of different TAM subsets in experimental models of cancer. The team found that: (1) A subset of monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) that express the scavenger receptor CD163, exert profound immune-suppressive functions and prevent the mobilisation of anti-tumour immune responses; (2) Subsets of tissue-resident macrophages of embryonic origins (RTM), which specifically promote the invasive activity of disseminated cancer cells and the metastatic spread of disease.

So far, Professor Toby Lawrence has published more than 70 articles in internationally renowned journals such as Science, Nature, Immunity, Cell Metabolism, and won many awards such as the INSERT Future Award and the ERC Award.

Host：Xuefeng Wu, Ph.D.| Inflammation and Cancer Research group

Time：10:30-11:30am, 20 February, Friday

Venue：Library lecture hall