BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS OF EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES CONTRIBUTING TO METASTASIS OF BREAST CANCER AND OSTEOSARCOMA
Raluca Ghebosu, PhD Candidate
Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Filmed in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | October 2024
Raluca Ghebosu graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science with majors in Japanese and Biomedical Science (2018-2021). She then completed her Bachelor of Science (Honours) with the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Queensland in 2022, before pursuing a PhD with A/Prof. Joy Wolfram at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology.
Raluca is currently exploring the complex biological interactions of extracellular vesicles, with the goal of understanding how they can contribute to the metastasis of breast cancer and osteosarcoma. She will do this by uncovering how extracellular vesicles from breast cancer and osteosarcoma cells allow the cancer cells to evade the immune system and avoid being detected by Natural Killer cells. By shedding light on the complex role of extracellular vesicles in cancer metastasis she hopes to revolutionise nanoparticle and cell-based cancer treatments.
Since beginning her PhD in 2023, Raluca has published two first author and two co-author manuscripts in high-ranking journals, including a first author paper in the premier journal of her field, Journal of Extracellular Vesicles (IF: 15.5), and has gained over 500 citations across her publications. She has presented her work to various audiences including scientists, clinicians and consumers and is a University of Queensland, 2024 3 Minute Thesis finalist. Raluca is also involved with the Wonder of Science Outreach program that promotes scientific inquiry and engagement to school-aged students across Queensland. Raluca hopes to continue being an advocate for STEM education and sharing her work with consumers and the broader scientific community.
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Stem cells used for age-related macular degeneration
Dr. Jenna Hall is a passionate and accomplished biologist with expertise in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) culture, disease modelling, and high-throughput automated systems. She recently earned her PhD from the University of Melbourne, where her research focused on using iPSC-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells to study age-related macular degeneration. Dr Hall’s technical skillset spans manual and automated cell reprogramming and differentiation, quantitative microscopy-based phenotyping, and large scale -omics analysis.
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Liver cancer biomarkers, risk prediction & progression
Dr. Rodrigo Carlessi is an expert in Cancer Genomics and Molecular Biology, with an extensive track record in liver cancer research. He leads the Cancer Genomics Group within the Liver Disease and Regeneration Laboratory at the Curtin Medical Research Institute. He has an impressive publication record, with 43 manuscripts that have collectively garnered over 2,680 citations. His research leverages cutting-edge genomics and transcriptomics technologies, as well as long-read DNA sequencing, to explore mechanisms, identify biomarkers, and develop therapeutic targets in liver disease and cancer.
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Therapy to prevent hepatocellular carcinoma in people with liver cirrhosis
Professor John Olynyk is a Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist with over 30 years’ experience, primarily at The Fiona Stanley & Fremantle Hospital Group. He planned the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Service for the Fiona Stanley Hospital and was Head Department from 2010 until 2020.
Professor John Olynyk was appointed as Associate Dean and Head of the Medical Discipline at Curtin University in 2023 until 2025 and is now Associate Director, Clinical Engagement, Curtin Medical Research Institute, Curtin University.
