Why is this research question important?
A radical new approach to understanding, diagnosing early, and treating pancreatic cancer has been called-for. Traditional diagnosis and drug development strategies repeatedly failed to deliver improvements in patient survival (since they failed at predicting cell types and cell-cell interactions accurately, in the first place) suggesting we need to fundamentally rethink our approach.
A team of researchers at University of Sheffield propose such a paradigm shift by moving beyond conventional drug development to understand the complex cellular ecosystem of pancreatic tumours through cutting-edge AI analysis.
What are you going to do?
Dr Zeyneb Kurt and the team will conduct a meta-analysis on publicly available pancreatic cancer datasets that enable identification of different cell types and their interactions. However, these datasets inherit various computational challenges. Cutting-edge generative AI model will address these issues by learning data patterns. Upon automating cell type identification, we will create detailed maps of how different cell communities interact and adapt over time.
When their AI system discovers important patterns in these cellular neighbourhoods, the team will validate them in the laboratory using spatial transcriptomics and multiplexed protein analysis.
Zeyneb and the team are applying to the Medical Research Council to fund this research project. If successful the project will start after April 2026.
How could the outcomes of this project make a difference to people with pancreatic cancer?
The teams novel, generative AI model can discover even the rare cell types with suppressed signals, which is a prerequisite step to identify novel markers and reveal the critical cell-cell communication networks that drive tumour progression. This will then enable developing precision therapies that selectively disrupt targeted cellular interactions while avoiding healthy tissues/interactions, and can offer more effective treatment with fewer side effects.
It was previously shown in other cancers that targeting specific cellular interactions has transformed patient outcomes. The team hope to do the same for pancreatic cancer patients.
Attend a virtual focus group
Zeyneb and the team are looking for individuals with lived experience to join a virtual focus group between 23rd June and 4th July 2025 (evenings are possible). You will be given more details about the project and the opportunity to ask questions and give feedback on their project.
No scientific background or prior experience is needed to take part in this opportunity.
Join the steering committee
The team are looking for one representative with lived experience of pancreatic cancer to join the steering committee for this project. You will be able to provide unique feedback and guidance on the proposal and support the team in the design of the study to ensure that from the outset the proposal will be focussed on the patients that it aims to benefit.
The time commitment would be an annual half-day meeting for the duration of the 3 year project, this can be virtual or in person in Sheffield. Individuals will be reimbursed for their travel, accommodation and subsistence and will be compensated £75 for their time for this meeting.
No scientific background or prior experience is needed to take part in this opportunity.
Next steps
If you would like to attend the focus group, join the steering committee or would simply like some further information on this opportunity, please contact Ameera Jailani who is one of the researchers on the team (a.jailani@sheffield.ac.uk) quoting the involvement reference ‘RIN AI Study’.
