About
Chris Hanley graduated from Imperial College London with a Biochemistry BSc in 2008. This was followed by an MRes (2011) and PhD (2014) in cancer research from the University of Southampton, including a period of study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Following his PhD, Chris has worked as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Southampton Cancer Sciences Unit and at the Johns Hopkins Centre for Cell Dynamics.
Dr. Hanley’s research aims to understand how the tumour microenvironment influences cancer progression. Particularly focussing on the the role of cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs). To examine these processes, state-of-the-art methods for analysing human tissue samples are used: including single-cell (sc)RNA-Sequencing; digital pathology analysis of multiplexed immunostaining and 3D organotypic co-cultures that incorporate autologous tumour organoids and stromal cells.
A significant achievement in this work was the identification of NAD(P)H Oxidase 4 (NOX4) as a therapeutic target. Following this discovery, the use of NOX inhibitors to treat cancers has been patented (Hanley. CJ co-inventor - WO2019086579) and clinical trials are in development to test NOX4 inhibitor efficacy in cancer.
Qualifications
BSc, Imperial College London 2008
MRes, University of Southampton 2011
PhD, University of Southampton 2014
Research
Research interests
- Tumour microenvironment
- Fibroblasts and the Extracellular Matrix
- Quantitative Cell Biology
- 3D Model systems
- Digital Pathology
Research projects
Active projects
Completed projects
Publications
Teaching
Current Teaching responsibilities include:
MSc Genomics Dissertation Module Co-Lead
MRes Quantitative Cell Biology Module – Data Visualisation and Biological Meaning session lead
Postgraduate Researcher taught course - Protein Biology and Techniques session lead