iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Open Press University of Sussex @openpress.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Also in Issue 1, @mitchell.science and Frances Pearl make the case for open data and explain how to embed openness at key stages in the research lifecycle. journals.sussex.ac.uk/index.php/op... #openscience #reproducibility #datamanagement @bsmsmedschool.bsky.social

journals.sussex.ac.uk

From Planning to Public Benefit: How Open Data Improves Your Research | Open Research Bulletin

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Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Open Press University of Sussex @openpress.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

We are excited to announce the launch of the brand new Open Research Bulletin! Aimed at anyone with an interest in open research, the ORB showcases expert comment, case studies, and practical tips for new researchers and experienced practitioners alike. www.journals.sussex.ac.uk/index.php/op...

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Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Sussex Blood Cancer Research @sussexbcr.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

🔔New network opportunity!🔔 Prof @mitchell.science at @bsmsmedschool.bsky.social is advertising a new 3yr @leukaemiauk.bsky.social funded PDRA using mechanistic models to identify B-cell lymphoma therapeutic vulnerabilities. Expected start date: April’26 Apply👇by 01/03/2026 and join Sussex BCR!

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 28/01/2026

We’re excited to announce that we’re looking for a postdoctoral research to join our team! This is an opportunity to lead an exciting project aiming to push the boundaries of personalised medicine through integrating data, simulation and lab experiments. Plz share mitchell.science/talk/we-are-...

mitchell.science

We are recruiting a postdoctoral research fellow. | Mitchell Lab

We're excited to announce that we're looking for a postdoctoral research to join our team!

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 09/10/2025

I especially owe this promotion to the incredible and inspiring scientists that I’m fortunate enough to call my team, collaborators, and co-directors of @sussexcancer.org I’m most excited to use my position to repay some of the incredible support I’ve had by supporting others. 🍻

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 09/10/2025

Reflecting triggers imposter syndrome tbh. But I owe it to a series of advisors/supervisors/mentors who believed in me and my approaches. Particularly, Pedro Mendes, Alexander Hoffmann, and @chrispepper68.bsky.social, who supported me in so many ways from PhD, to postdoc, and PI respectively.

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 09/10/2025

Excited to have been promoted to Professor in Cancer Systems Biology at @bsmsmedschool.bsky.social, University of Sussex, @uniofbrighton.bsky.social

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Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Sussex Cancer Research Centre @sussexcancer.org · 12/09/2025

👩‍🔬 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...

jobs.ac.uk

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.

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Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Jasmeen Oberoi @jasmeenoberoi.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

🧬🧪 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.

jobs.ac.uk

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.

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 18/08/2025

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/🧵

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 18/08/2025

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/🧵

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 18/08/2025

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/🧵

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 18/08/2025

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/🧵

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 18/08/2025

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/🧵

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 04/07/2025

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...

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Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Sussex Cancer Research Centre @sussexcancer.org · 28/05/2025

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

sussexcancer.org

jobs — Sussex Cancer Research Centre

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 27/05/2025

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

mitchell.science

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.

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Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Dr Eleanor Jayawant @ejayawant.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

🧵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…

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 23/04/2025

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

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 10/04/2025

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

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Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Laurence Pearl 🔥 @laurencepearl.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

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 🤞

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Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Sussex Cancer Research Centre @sussexcancer.org · 25/03/2025

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...

sussexcancer.org

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...

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Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Sussex Cancer Research Centre @sussexcancer.org · 18/03/2025

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

sussexcancer.curated.co

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

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

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 13/03/2025

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

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 14/02/2025

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! 🤜🤛

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Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Sussex Blood Cancer Research @sussexbcr.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

🎓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!

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 23/01/2025

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...

science.org

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

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

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Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Sussex Cancer Research Centre @sussexcancer.org · 13/01/2025

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

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Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Rob Noble @robjohnnoble.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Do you like trees? Fancy quantifying tree shapes in terms of diversity, balance, average outdegree, etc. so you can compare them with each other or with models? Even if they have very different leaf counts? And accounting for branch lengths and polytomies? We have an easy solution for you. 1/n

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 17/12/2024

Well deserved! Congrats Rhys

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 06/12/2024

Summary: 1. Combining models with molecular "fingerprinting" can match DLBCL with the right drugs. 2. This can overcome lymph node-mediated drug resistance. 3. cRel can be activated by crosstalk from the non-canonical pathway and induce MCL1. 3. Aimilia Vareli is awesome!

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 06/12/2024

Yes! Non-canonical NF-kB inhibition with Amgen16 overcomes all the microenvrionment mediated resistance we discovered, regardless of the mechanism! @amgen.bsky.social Let's summarise...

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 06/12/2024

So, taking a step back, we have: - Different Achilles heel in each DLBCL - Different resistance mechanism mediated by complicated cross talk. This makes it really hard to improve treatments. We asked if we could break all the links with the TME by inhibiting non-canonical NF-kB?

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 06/12/2024

ChIPseq says yes, but we needed another test. The model told us an IkBe knockout would selectively upregulate cRel, which would upregulate MCL1 if we were right. Collaborating with Alexander Hoffmann's group we tested this in IkBe KO mice. cRel and MCL1 go up!

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 06/12/2024

Imaging confirms it! Chronic NF-kB activation creates crosstalk between the pathways. We also knew this chronic NF-kB was causing the drug resistance, because when we inhibit it (with ibrutinib) we can re-sensitize the cells. But the link between cRel and MCL1 is new. Is it real?

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 06/12/2024

Enter computational modelling. A model developed by Arran Pack predicted that the high RelA could create cross talk between the NF-kB pathways. CD40 -> NIK -> cRel -> MCL1? Soumen Basak has seen this before in healthy B-cells. We predict it's happening in DLBCL. Let's check

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 06/12/2024

We knew the MCL1 was probably NF-kB's fault, isn't everything ;) We used imaging to find which NF-kB components were in the nucleus before the cells went into co-culture. Lots of RelA in cells that induce MCL1. But how does high RelA in monoculture lead to MCL1 in co-culture?

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 06/12/2024

The co-culture effect was seen in multiple cell lines, to drugs targetting BCL2 and BCLXL. This might explain why these drugs work in the lab but not in DLBCL patients. Some of this we understood: CD40 -> NIK -> RelB -> BCLXL But some really did not: CD40 -> NIK -> ? -> MCL!?

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 06/12/2024

We used a co-culture system that mimicks how T-cells support DLBCL cells in lymph nodes. This made both cell populations resist treatment. They upregulated BCLXL which compensates for BCL2 inhibition. Inherent resistance, and micro-environmental resistance in one cell line. Neat

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 06/12/2024

We find the two cell populations in the same cell line have totally different inherent sensitivity to BCL2 inhibition! Why? One has high MCL1 to compensate for BCL2 inhibition. This is cool, but these are cells in a dish. Could we still drug these in a supportive lymph node?

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 06/12/2024

Do these fingerprints predict drug responses? Yes! But what is going on with the U2932 cell line? Like lots of cancer it contains multiple cell populations with different genetics. This makes it great for figuring out how different cells in the same tumour might respond to a drug.

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 06/12/2024

Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) has lots of BCL2 and NF-kB. Both drive poor prognosis. Lots of people have tried inhibiting these. But NF-kB is 2 pathways, 5 proteins, and there are many BCL2-family proteins. We found previously (doi.org/10.3389/fonc...), each DLBCL has a unique "fingerprint".

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 06/12/2024

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

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Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Sussex Cancer Research Centre @sussexcancer.org · 04/12/2024

Today we celebrate our inspirational co-director Professor Melanie Flint m as she gives her inaugural lecture @brightonuni.bsky.social An incredible scientist, leader, mentor, and all around amazing person.

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Simon Mitchell @mitchell.science · 03/12/2024

My Dad, @cliffmitchell.bsky.social was sick of friends and relatives getting duped by bad British newspaper front pages. So he made a website to debunk the worst offenders. If you have the same problem (don’t we all) you might find this handy! slippery.news

slippery.news

Slippery News

Headlines Matter!

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Reposted by Simon Mitchell

Sussex Cancer Research Centre @sussexcancer.org · 03/12/2024

A new fully-funded PhD studentship has just been advertised to investigate links between stress and blood cancer. Join a new collaboration between @bsmsmedschool.bsky.social and @brightonuni.bsky.social and be part of @sussexcancer.org Deadline 31st January. sussexcancer.org/jobs

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