Marco MOREIRA

3D models lover, interested in the immune system and its interaction with tumors and associated microenvironment.  

I began my scientific journey at the Pasteur Institute, where I investigated the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).  

I then moved to Boston, MA, Northeastern University, focusing on 3D models. I worked on chemical modification of injectable hydrogels to modulate the local immune system.  

Later, I joined the Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, working in the team of Hervé Fridman and Catherine Sautès Fridman on tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) and B cells in sarcoma and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Currently, I am pursuing my PhD at Gustave Roussy, where my research explores the impact of early microglia on embryonic brain gliogenesis in the organoid group. Using microglia-enriched cerebral organoids, we aim to unravel how microglia interact with cells and niches across various contexts, including normal development, neurodevelopmental diseases, and pediatric H3K27M diffuse midline glioma. A central focus of my work is understanding how early microglia drive metabolic reprogramming within the microenvironment and its influence on cell differentiation. By deciphering gliogenesis modulation during brain development, I hope to shed light on microglia's role in pediatric brain tumors and developmental disorders.