Dr Melanie Flint

Dr Melanie Flint is a Reader in Cancer Biology. She is currently Co-leader of 91¶¶Òõ and Sussex Cancer Research Network and a member of the Cancer Translation Advisory Group Steering Committee and Theme leader for Cancer. Dr Flint is also a member of the NCRI Symptom Management Working Group.

Dr Flint trained in the Women’s cancer research center, at the University of Pittsburgh cancer Institute and remains at adjunct Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh.

Her work on the effect of stress on cancer progression, chemotherapy and the immune system has been highlighted in the Making Research Matter and will likely result in changing treatment paradigms in patients with cancer.

Melanie-Flint

Dr Melanie Flint

How I like to teach

I currently teach Immunopharmacology, autoimmunity and I’m case leader for Breast Cancer. I prefer a more ‘hands on’ practical approach to my teaching—this can be achieved though interactive lectures and workshops. Together with psychologists, Macmillan nurses, pharmacologists and pharmacists we will create interactive workshops to enhance student experiences.

My research interests

Currently, the focus of my laboratory is translational cancer research. Specifically, my research examines hormonal influences on cell cycle regulation and cancer. My primary research project involves the direct interplay between stress hormones (cortisol, noradrenaline) and the immune and cancer cells. This is accomplished through a mechanistic study of administration of stress hormones to cancerous cells, and observing these effects both in vitro, in vivo and human tissue sample models. The goal of my laboratory is to understand the mechanism through which behavioural stress impacts cancer progression.

MRM-LHP-breast-cancer

 

Read the Breast Cancer article in the Making Research Matter publication

Research activity

Current research projects:

Previous research projects

  • Optimising Interventions through an Understanding of the Biomarkers of Social Isolation in Older People. 
  • Investigate the Aetiology of Hot Flush Mechanisms during Oestrogen Deprivation Therapy
  • The impact of providing care on family caregivers: Building on animal models to identify underlying mechanisms of intracellular changes in response to stress (Collaboration with Professor Paula Sherwood, University of Pittsburgh, USA).
  • Stress and Immune therapies in Ovarian Cancer (Collaboration with Dr Premal Thaker Washington University, St Louis, USA)

Social media

Contact me

Dr Melanie Flint
Senior Lecturer

Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
Moulsecoomb
91¶¶Òõ
BN2 4GJ

Telephone: +44 (0)1273 643986

Email: M.Flint@brighton.ac.uk

Biography

I received my Ph.D. at Imperial College, London, UK. I moved to the United States and trained as a postdoctoral scientist at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV. It was there that I began a research track in the field of biobehavioral research. I became very interested in the power of stressful influences impacting disease outcome. At the time, I remained focused on the immune and inflammatory systems and the impact of stressful responses.

My research interests began to include investigations into how psychosocial hormones influence the immune system and may impact cancer biology. Indeed, I was recruited to join the Behavioral Oncology team at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) as a Research Associate on the basis of my past experience in the field of stress and the immune system. During my tenure in this group, I worked on a number of projects related to how stress may impact the incidence and course of cancer, with a focus on the impact of stress and stress hormones on DNA damage and repair. In 2007, I was promoted to Research Instructor in the Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology. I began to apply my molecular and cell biology expertise to complement my breast cancer research, especially with the validation and implementation of cancer biomarkers. I became a Research Assistant Professor in 2012, where I trained in breast and ovarian cancer at the Womens cancer Research center, Pittsburgh.

I am currently a Senior lecturer and leader of a stress and breast cancer program at the 91¶¶Òõ.

Research output

 

 

PhD students

Name Thesis

Haya Intabli (Jan 2016 - Dec 2019)

 Epigenetic Modifications in Breast Cancer 

Renee Flaherty (Oct 2015 - July 2018)

 The effects of stress hormones on breast cancer cells and aims to elucidate mechanisms by which stress may facilitate tumourigenesis 

Eldhose Skaria (Oct 2015 - July 2018)

 Developing an accurate and immediate diagnosis for cutaneous melanoma, by developing microneedle technology 

Funding

Active

Rising Star grant - The impact of stress on the efficacy of paclitaxel in breast cancer. Role: Principal Investigator March 2014-March 2106

NIH 1R03CA168400-01 (now subcontracted to the UK) - The impact of providing care on family caregivers: Building on animal models to identify underlying mechanisms of intracellular changes in response to stress. Role: Principal Investigator November 2012-November 2014

Completed

Wendy Hill Case cancer fund - Psychological stress, stress hormones; a role in drug resistance in breast cancer January 2012-July 2013. Role: Principal Investigator

PA Breast Cancer Coalition’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Initiative - The role of psychological stress and stress hormones on drug resistance in breast cancer. Role: Principal Investigator June2011-December 2012

Magee Women’s Foundation Breast Cancer Research and Education Fund grant - The role of stress hormones on drug resistance in breast cancer. Role: Principal Investigator February 2011-February 2012

Roles

  • Co-leader of 91¶¶Òõ and Sussex Cancer Research Network
  • Member of the Cancer Translation Advisory Group Steering Committee
  • Theme leader: Cancer