Dr Nicole Chew is the Senior Organoid Specialist for the VPCC Next Generation Precision Medicine program, and joined the program in 2021. Her work involves generating cell lines, xenografts and organoids derived from paediatric brain tumours to identify therapeutic targets and biomarkers as potential treatment options using functional genomic screens.

Nicole graduated with first-class Honours in BSc and completed her PhD at Monash University under the supervision of Professor Roger Daly. During this time, Nicole investigated therapeutic targets and drug combinations for particular subtypes of breast cancer and liver cancer, utilising in vitro (including generation of inhibitor-resistant cell lines and organoids) and in vivo (PDX) models. Her research has identified novel targetable fusions and drug combinations as improved treatment strategies.

Selected publications

• Chew NJ, Lim Kam Sian TCC, Nguyen EV, Shin SY, Yang J, Hui MN, Deng N, McLean CA, Welm AL, Lim E, Gregory P, Nottle T, Lang T, Vereker M, Richardson G, Kerr G, Micati D, Jardé T, Abud HE, Lee RS, Swarbrick A, Daly RJ (2021) Evaluation of FGFR targeting in breast cancer through interrogation of patient-derived models. Breast Cancer Res, 23(1):82.

• Chew NJ, Nguyen EV, Su SP, Novy K, Chan HC, Nguyen LK, Luu J, Simpson KJ, Lee RS, Daly RJ (2020) FGFR3 signaling and function in triple negative breast cancer. Cell Commun Signal 18:13.

• Tafreshi M, Guan J, Gorrell RJ, Chew NJ, Xin Y, Deswaerte V, Rohde M, Daly RJ, Peek Jr RM, Jenkins BJ, Davies EM, Kwok T (2018) Helicobacter pylori type IV secretion system and its adhesin subunit, CagL, mediate potent inflammatory responses in primary human endothelial cells. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 8:22.