Stichting tegen Kanker 2025 postdoctoral grant for Dr. Annelien Morlion

CRIG researcher Dr. Annelien Morlion received a postdoctoral mandate form the Stichting tegen Kanker, for the project "Decoding blood plasma cell-free RNA profiles from cancer patients”.

Liquid biopsies offer a promising, minimally invasive way to detect and monitor cancer by analyzing genetic material circulating in the blood. Most current approaches focus on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), but its low levels in some cancers can limit sensitivity. Cell-free RNA (cfRNA), on the other hand, reflects active cellular processes and provides a complementary, dynamic source of information that remains underexplored.

During this postdoctoral mandate, I aim to improve the detection and interpretation of tumor- and tissue-specific cfRNA signals in blood plasma from patients with solid tumors, using prostate and pancreatic cancer as case studies. By enriching tumor- and tissue-derived cfRNA, mapping their cellular origins, and linking cfRNA changes to clinical data, I seek to clarify how tumors and their surrounding tissues contribute to the circulating RNA landscape.
 

The project aims to advance cfRNA-based biomarker discovery and contribute to the development of more sensitive, comprehensive liquid biopsy approaches. Ultimately, this work could enhance non-invasive cancer diagnostics, therapy monitoring, and relapse detection, while offering deeper insights into tumor biology and disease progression.

Of note, in 2025 CRIG awarded Dr. Morlion with a 'young investigator proof-of-concept' grant to do research on "Enriching cancer signals in blood plasma cell-free RNA through custom mRNA capture sequencing" (read more).

Funding for such ‘young investigator proof-of-concept’ (YIPOC) grants is provided by CRIG and vzw Kinderkankerfonds through a strategic partnership, and thanks to the support of many donors!