معرفی
Professor Jen Morton is a Professor at the School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, and a Senior Staff Scientist at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute (formerly known as The Beatson Institute for Cancer Research). She serves as the Preclinical Trials Coordinator for the Cancer Research UK Glasgow Centre and leads the Preclinical Pancreatic Cancer research group.
Professor Morton received her BSc (Hons. 1st) in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Glasgow in 1998 and her PhD in Veterinary Pathology from the same institution in 2001. Her career includes postdoctoral positions at the University of Glasgow, University of Massachusetts Medical School, and Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, before becoming an Associate Scientist at the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute (2010-2019).
Professor Morton's research focuses on pancreatic cancer, which causes approximately 340,000 deaths worldwide annually and is predicted to become the second most common cause of cancer death in the western world by 2030. She develops genetically engineered models that mimic human pancreatic tumors in terms of genetic alterations and the development of dense desmoplastic stroma. Her work aims to determine the importance of specific genetic and transcriptomic changes, identify novel therapeutic targets, and test new therapies pre-clinically. Her research spans KRAS-driven oncogenesis, CXCR2 signaling, mTOR pathway involvement, and tumor-stroma interactions.
Analysis of Professor Morton's recent publications reveals a strong focus on pancreatic cancer biology, tumor microenvironment, and therapeutic interventions. Key trends include investigating genetic alterations in pancreatic cancer, immune responses, metabolic reprogramming, and developing novel therapeutic strategies. Her work frequently examines the complex interplay between tumor cells and their microenvironment, with particular attention to metastasis mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
Professor Morton has been actively involved in numerous collaborative research projects across multiple institutions. Her leadership in preclinical trials coordination has helped bridge the gap between basic research and clinical applications in pancreatic cancer treatment, contributing significantly to the development of more effective therapeutic approaches for this challenging disease.
As leader of the Preclinical Pancreatic Cancer research group at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Professor Morton oversees research that is crucial for understanding pancreatic cancer development and progression. Her work with genetically engineered models provides valuable insights into disease mechanisms and potential treatment strategies, positioning her at the forefront of pancreatic cancer research.
