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Simon Mitchell

@mitchell.science

1.2K followers 760 following 40 posts

Cancer systems biology lab @bsmsmedschool.bsky.social | @UKRI.org Future Leaders Fellow | Director of @SussexCancer.org | Frontiers in Immunology Speciality Chief Editor: Systems Immunology

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · Dec 6

Excited to share a new pre-print led by the incredible PhD student Aimilia Vareli.
biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
She asked why drugs that kill cancer cells in blood don't kill them in lymph nodes? How we can fix that?
🧵🧪
@sussexcancer.org
@bsmsmedschool.bsky.social @sussexuni.bsky.social

Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Sussex Cancer Research Centre @sussexcancer.org · 26d

👩‍🔬 We’re hiring! Join a dynamic team driving innovation in blood cancer research at the University of Sussex. Collaborate with experts, grow your skills in protein biochemistry, and contribute to vital discoveries.

👉 Apply here: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOP599/r...

Research Technician – Protein Biochemistry at University of Sussex

Discover Research Technician – Protein Biochemistry jobs and more in higher education on jobs.ac.uk. Apply for further details on the top job board.

Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Jasmeen Oberoi @jasmeenoberoi.bsky.social · Sep 9

🧬🧪 A research technician position - Protein Biochemistry (6 months) is available in my lab @gdsc-sussex.bsky.social investigating structure and function of fusion kinase complexes in Leukaemia.

📅 Deadline: 29th September 2025.

🙏 Please share with anyone who might be interested.

Research Technician – Protein Biochemistry at University of Sussex

Explore an exciting academic career as a Research Technician – Protein Biochemistry. Don't miss out on other academic jobs. Click to apply and explore more opportunities.

Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · Aug 18

Summary
- Targeting BCL2/MCL1/BCLXL requires unstanding the TME.
- Systems biology can identify inhibitors that make BH3-mimetics great again.
We're now working on clinical translation, making simulations easy to interpret, and in vivo testing of personalised medicine.
end/🧵

Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · Aug 18

Finally, we find that despite all this complexity there is one strategy that always works to overcome the TME.
Inhibition of the key regulator of non-canonical NF-kB (NIK) totally neutralises the drug resistance caused by the TME in DLBCL🎉
5/🧵

Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · Aug 18

We used computational models, ChIP-seq, imaging, phospho-protemics, and mouse models (collab with Alexander Hoffmann) to discover that high BCR signalling in these cells re-wires the NF-kB:BCL2 network.
Good news: this means Ibrutinib overcomes the TME!
4/🧵

Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · Aug 18

We find:
- culturing DLBCL cells with cells expressing CD40 (to mimick the TME) creates resistance to BH3-mimetics.
- this happens whether you're targeting BCL2 or BCLXL.
- Compensatory upregulation of BCLXL causes resistance.
- In SUDHL8 cells MCL1 also increases. Why!?
3/🧵

Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · Aug 18

Background:
- Established NFκB -> BCL2 link is actually a bit fuzzy (which NFκB subunits control which BCL2 proteins in DLBCL?)
- scRNAseq suggests tumour microenvironment (TME) activates non-canonical NFκB (RelB:p52).
- Can we overcome the protective effect of the TME ?
2/🧵

Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · Aug 18

New paper led by Aimilia Vareli out now.
nature.com/articles/s41...
The lymphoma microenvironment stops BH3-mimetics working.
In vitro/vivo/silico, we find inhibition of NFκB makes BH3-mimetics great again.🧵
@sussexbcr.bsky.social @bsmsmedschool.bsky.social @leukaemiauk.bsky.social @sussexcancer.org

Systems biology-enabled targeting of NF-κΒ and BCL2 overcomes microenvironment-mediated BH3-mimetic resistance in DLBCL - Cell Death & Disease

Cell Death & Disease - Systems biology-enabled targeting of NF-κΒ and BCL2 overcomes microenvironment-mediated BH3-mimetic resistance in DLBCL

Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · Jul 4

New paper led by @ejayawant.bsky.social 🎉
We review:
- how computational biology is helping us understand lymphoma,
- how machine learning and cell simulations make sense of vast amounts of data,
- how models can personalise treatments to each person with lymphoma.
portlandpress.com/biochemsoctr...

Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Sussex Cancer Research Centre @sussexcancer.org · Jun 10

Artist’s blood cancer treatment inspires powerful new exhibition at University of Brighton, @bsmsmedschool.bsky.social

www.brighton.ac.uk/news/2025/ar...

Artist’s blood cancer treatment inspires powerful new exhibition at University of Brighton

A University of Brighton graduate has turned his own cancer journey into a striking art installation exploring illness and the duality of medical treatment.

www.brighton.ac.uk

Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Sussex Cancer Research Centre @sussexcancer.org · May 28

Multiple positions currently open for applications but with imminent dealines:
- PhD studentship with Sally Wheelwright on cancer-related fatigue.
- PhD studentship with Chris Pepper on multiple myeloma.
- Postdoc with @mitchell.science
on cancer systems biology.
sussexcancer.org/jobs

jobs — Sussex Cancer Research Centre

sussexcancer.org

Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · May 27

Excited to announce that thanks to securing a UKRI FLF follow-on award (mitchell.science/talk/566k-fo...)
✨We are hiring✨
3-year systems biology (wet/dry) postdoc, to pioneer new approaches to personalised medicine.
Learn more + apply (before 29 June):
mitchell.science/talk/recruit...

Plz share

Recruiting for a post doc on a UKRI Future Leaders fellowship project | Mitchell Lab

We are really excited to be advertising for an enthusiastic and committed post doc to work on a wet lab/dry lab project applying systems biology to mulitple diseases. Deadline 29th June.

mitchell.science

Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Dr Eleanor Jayawant @ejayawant.bsky.social · May 21

🧵1/
🔬 A postdoc in numbers (and life beyond the lab)
As I wrap up my postdoc with @mitchell.science at @bsmsmedschool.bsky.social, I've been reflecting on everything that’s changed since I started in 2021. A lot can happen in a few years…

Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · Apr 23

so lovely to be at @cshlnews.bsky.social for the Systems Immunology Meeting.
Great venue and even better science.

Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · Apr 10

Congrats Okan!

I’m using the old “stand one step down” trick here.

Rhys Morgan @rhysmorganlab.bsky.social · Apr 10

Major congrats to Dr#3 from our group Okan Sevim who passed his PhD viva yesterday.

A super talented researcher, it’s been a privilege to serve as Okan’s supervisor from MSc to PhD in @biochembiomeduos.bsky.social @sussex.ac.uk

Many thanks to examiners @mitchell.science & @mardakheh.bsky.social

Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Laurence Pearl 🔥 @laurencepearl.bsky.social · Apr 10

I will be talking about our new cancer genomics toolkit DepMine at the first meeting of the @sussexcancer.org Sussex Cancer Research Centre Computational Biology Group today - new career trajectory ok so far 🤞

Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Sussex Cancer Research Centre @sussexcancer.org · Mar 25

Exciting to see SCRC Creative Community Engagement project led by Deborah Humphrey, and Karina Patfield, highlighted on BBC news.
"Words from the Waiting Room offers cancer patients, survivors, and supporters a safe environment to express themselves"
sussexcancer.org/news/bbc-new...

BBC News, South East covers Words from the Waiting Room. — Sussex Cancer Research Centre

Creative Community Engagement project led by Deborah Humphrey, and Karina Patfield highlighted on BBC news. Words from the Waiting Room offers cancer patients, survivors, and supporters a safe enviro...

sussexcancer.org

Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Sussex Cancer Research Centre @sussexcancer.org · Mar 18

Latest newsletter:
- PhD studentships deadline: 24th March
- Kick-off of the SCRC Computational Cancer Research themed meetings
- Sussex Brain Tumour Research launch
- Custom artwork inspired by your research
- Lightning lecture competition
And more!
sussexcancer.curated.co/issues/9#start

Custom artwork, lightning lecture competition, new theme launch, and exciting events.

Reminder: studentship deadline 24th March, computational and brain tumour meetings, creative community engagement.

sussexcancer.curated.co

Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · Mar 13

Also good for reducing excess iron, free radicals, and therefore DNA damage which leads to cancer.

Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · Feb 14

Proud moment from Arran Pack's graduation.
It's so rewarding to see our lab's first PhD student graduate, and I couldn't have asked for a better first student.
Job well done Arran!
🤜🤛

Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Sussex Blood Cancer Research @sussexbcr.bsky.social · Feb 13

🎓Graduation news! 🎓

Some of the HaemTeam were at @bsmsmedschool.bsky.social graduation this week celebrating new Drs. The @andreapepper.bsky.social @chrispepper68.bsky.social team were celebrating Eleni Ladikou and Kim Sharp PhD graduation, whilst @mitchell.science were toasting Arran Pack grad!

Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Sussex Cancer Research Centre @sussexcancer.org · Feb 4

It is #WorldCancerDay
We are excited to announce our funded research projects, a new community engagement strategy, creative award winners, and interviews.

sussexcancer.org/news/announc...

@bsmsmedschool.bsky.social @sussexuni.bsky.social @uniofbrighton.bsky.social @eshtnhs.bsky.social

Updates from the Sussex Cancer Research Centre on World Cancer Day. — Sussex Cancer Research Centre

The theme of World Cancer Day 2025 is “United by Unique”, which places people at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the conversation. Today the Sussex Cancer Research Centre (SCR...

sussexcancer.org

Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · Jan 23

This is devastating.
Grant review panels not meeting completely halts scientific progress
3 people at the inauguration had their wealth increase by $233 billion between them since the election, while scientists and people with disease are abandoned.
www.science.org/content/arti...

Trump hits NIH with ‘devastating’ freezes on meetings, travel, communications, and hiring

Researchers facing “a lot of uncertainty, fear, and panic”

www.science.org

Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Sussex Cancer Research Centre @sussexcancer.org · Jan 13

New position available: Research Fellow in Cancer Studies!
Work on a cutting edge research project funded by @bloodcanceruk.bsky.social.
Applications close on January 26th.
www.SussexCancer.org/jobs

Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Jeff Saucerman @jsauce7.bsky.social · Dec 23

Thoughts from leaders of systems #immunology how mechanistic models can leverage omics/ML for deeper understanding of how our immune system works #sysbio @cp-cellsystems.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell-systems...

What unique insights can modeling approaches capture about the immune system?

The immune system, optimized by evolution to maintain health and prevent disease, is remarkably good at what it does. It detects pathogens and monitors physiological stresses with a sensitivity and selectivity that far surpasses that of man-made biosensors. It then mounts potent yet precise responses, enabling the body to maintain homeostasis amid varying internal milieu and external threats.