Assistant Professor Carla L. Alves
Cancer Research Unit
Department of Molecular Medicine
Email: calves@health.sdu.dk
For CV, list of publications, international network etc. see profile on https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/en/persons/calves
Work/Research interests
Our research focuses on understanding the heterogeneous nature of breast cancer towards treatment. By using state-of-the-art technologies such as 3D organoids and circulating tumor cell cultures, we aim to decipher the complexities of tumor heterogeneity. A key aspect of our work involves generating and characterizing organoids from single-cell clones, isolated from distinct regions of primary breast tumors or metastatic lesions. Additionally, we establish cultures of circulating tumor cells isolated from blood samples of metastatic breast cancer patients. To gain a comprehensive understanding of these models, we employ a multimodal approach including genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and functional analyses. This integrative strategy enables us to identify cell populations eliminated or enriched by treatment, offering valuable insights into the mechanisms behind sustained sensitivity in certain patients and the development of resistance in others. Our ultimate goal is to contribute to the development of more effective, personalized therapeutic interventions for breast cancer.
Methods and techniques
3D cell culture, bulk and single cell RNA sequencing, immunomagnetic cell isolation, genetic manipulation by transfection/transduction, targeted DNA sequencing, immunostainings
Collaborations within SDU
Professor Henrik Ditzel
Professor Paolo Ceppi
Professor Vijay Tiwari
Professor Jan Frystyk
Professor Thomas Levin Andersen
Associate Professor Daniela de Zio
Associate Professor Rasmus Siersbaek
Support received from
Pink Tribute
Carlsberg Fondet
Danmarks 3R-center
Sygeforsikring Danmark
Tornøes og Høyrups Legat
Astrid Thaysens Legat
Fonden til Lægevidenskabens Fremme
Information for students
We are always interested in recruiting new motivated students. If you are interested, please contact us at calves@health.sdu.dk
Members of the research group
Lab technician Lene E. Johansen
PhD student Benedetta Policastro
Master student Nikoline Nissen