#LetsTalkLabs with Bruno Simões

Laboratory or lab-based research is often the first step in research that makes a difference. However, we don’t talk enough about it, so #LetsTalkLabs!

To spark more conversations about this aspect of research, we have partnered with research advisory groups BRAG and Voice Up, people from Greater Manchester and researchers on #LetsTalkLabs, an initiative funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility (CRF).

Bruno Simões is a cancer researcher at Manchester BRC. His laboratory-based research focuses on investigating breast cells to find better ways to treating and preventing breast cancer.

In this Q&A he tells us more about his work and his meeting with Temitope from Wonderfully Made Woman, who is interested in understanding how laboratory research can help Black women in Manchester to prevent breast cancer.

What motivates you to do research?

I’m passionate about advancing scientific knowledge, as I believe that even small pieces of information discovered in the laboratory can significantly impact people's lives, particularly in breast cancer research. Knowing that my work could help women by reducing the risk of breast cancer and improving existing treatments keeps me motivated and driven to make a difference, even if the effects are seen decades in the future.

How can your work benefit people?

Every year, around 11,500 women and 85 men die from breast cancer in the UK. My laboratory-based research aims to understand how breast cancer develops and to find better ways to prevent it, especially in women who are at higher risk including those with a family history or certain gene mutations. This is also important for women from specific diverse communities, such as Black women, who are more likely to develop specific types of cancer (for example, triple negative breast cancer) at an earlier age.

From previous laboratory-based research we know that among other factors, progesterone (a hormone that plays a key role in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy) is linked to a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Our research builds on this knowledge by investigating whether a drug which stops progesterone activity could help to prevent this type of cancer. We also want to understand how and why this happens. By finding answers to these questions, we hope to discover if this medication could effectively reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

What do you do in the lab?

All of my research is based in a laboratory, where we use different techniques to closely examine breast tissue donated by women at increased risk of cancer.

To determine if a medication is effective in reducing the risk of developing breast cancer, we analyse breast tissue from a biopsy donated by women before and after they have taken a specific drug for a certain period. After isolating the breast cells, we assess how the cells divide and grow, and if there have been any changes in the genes and proteins associated with cancer following the treatment. This helps us understand whether the medication is working or not.

How did you find taking part in Let’s Talk Labs?

I found the experience to be very rewarding. Everyone was interested in hearing more about the biology, treatments, and prevention of breast cancer. I believe it’s essential for us researchers to engage with people and communities to learn more about their views. It’s also important for us to share how our laboratory work can potentially make a difference in their lives.

Why are people important to your research?

People are key to my research, and I’m grateful to all those at increased risk of breast cancer who have provided us with their samples. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do to improve the strategies for preventing breast cancer, which unfortunately causes the deaths of over 400 women every year in Greater Manchester.

Find out more about how laboratory-based research makes a difference on Facebook and X. Visit our opportunities page to find out how you can have your say in research and benefit people in the future.

Interested in finding out more about breast cancer?

For more information on breast cancer visit www.nhs.uk and type ‘breast cancer’ in the search box.