The Técnico alumna Inês Godet, who is currently a PhD student and researcher at Johns Hopkins University, gave an online lecture titled “Fat-mapping intratumoral hypoxia to determine its role in metastasis”, on December 2, at Técnico, under the American Corner @ Técnico. More than two dozen members of Técnico community (students, professors, researchers) were captivated by this topic.
“One in every eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime”, said Inês Godet, who considers breast cancer a ‘good cancer’ because it may be cured if diagnosed and treated early. The researcher also demonstrated the risks and the disturbingly high percentages of metastatic breast cancer. “That is why we really need to spend some time studying breast cancer metastasis, hopefully to prevent them, but also to treat them,” she said with conviction.
Through a computed tomography of a mouse tumor, Inês Godet explained the audience how cells subject to aggressive conditions are able to adapt. “When cancer cells adapt, they become more aggressive, which is why hypoxia is a condition widely studied in cancer research”.
“So, although hypoxia is associated with poor prognosis in patients, and although we know that it can lead to aggressive forms of cancer, it’s still necessary to understand what each of these cells is doing within the primary tumor and how they contribute to the spread of cancer”, she highlighted. Aware of this importance, the Técnico alumna focused her PhD thesis on this topic: “I intend to know if we can map hypoxic cells”.
Inês Godet also highlighted the importance of the research carried out by the team of the laboratory of the Department of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “Basically, we found that intratumoral hypoxia is a better prognosis for patients with breast cancer, when compared to our in vitro experiments with hypoxia”, she stressed. One of the main conclusions of the study also revealed that post-hypoxic cells have five times the probability of forming lung metastases”, she added. “We hope that by focusing on these post-hypoxic cells, we will probably prevent metastasis or treat it. That’s why we are now focused on that. And we are also looking at other metastasis sites, such as the liver and the brain” she said.
“I’m sure you’ve heard this before from Técnico alumni, but it’s truth. Today I know that I made the right choice. The great advantage of studying at Técnico is that after finishing the course we can do whatever we want anywhere”, said Inês Godet.
When asked about the difference between doing research in Portugal or in the United States of America (USA), the Técnico alumna said: “In fact, there is a clear difference. There is a lot more money here and a lot more resources. I have the opportunity to have access to all of that, which is amazing, especially while I am learning”. According to Inês Godet an international experience at the USA is very interesting, which she recommends. “I know that Europe is also increasing funding for scientific research and that makes me very happy”, she said. “One day, perhaps, I will return to Europe.
