Meet the team
We are a dynamic and growing research group in the Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, under the leadership of Dr Alecia-Jane Twigger. Our team is passionate about women’s and infant health.
The lab is situated in the strong scientific and clinical research environment within the University of Cambridge and nearby Cambridge Biomedical Campus. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that promotes intellectual curiosity and scientific excellence.
Dr Alecia-Jane Twigger
Group leader of the Cambridge Lactation Lab
Dr Twigger began her research career with a PhD in the Human Lactation Research Group at the University of Western Australia. Securing two prestigious postdoctoral fellowships back-to-back, she moved to Dr Christina Scheel’s laboratory at the Helmholtz Centre Munich, Germany to develop a milk cell derived mammary organoid model. In 2019, she was invited to join Walid Khaled’s laboratory at the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Cambridge (UoC) and Cambridge Stem Cell Institute. Here she focused on understanding differences in cell states of the mammary gland in normal (lactation) or abnormal (cancer) development using single cell protein and transcriptomic technologies. For the past 3 years, she has collaborated with a large interdisciplinary team lead by Prof Greg Hannon (CRUK-CI) and Jean Abraham (Breast Unit Addenbrookes) on a Wellcome LEAP funded project to determine the molecular mechanisms of triple negative breast cancer patient response to chemotherapy. Recently, she secured the esteemed UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship to start her own research group, the Cambridge Lactation Lab. The lab sits between the Department of Biochemistry and the Department of Pharmacology at the UoC. The focus of the lab’s ongoing research programme is to develop models of human lactation to untangle the biosynthesis of milk to support breastfeeding and long-term health of mothers and infants.
Opportunities
Research Assistant/ Associate
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Research Assistant/Associate to support our Cambridgeshire Multiomics of Milk (CAMB MOM) study.
The ideal candidate will have excellent laboratory skills in molecular biology and cell culture. Preferred qualifications include:
Previous clinical research experience
Familiarity with in vitro technologies (e.g., tissue culture, 3D organoids, co-cultures)
Experience with molecular analysis (e.g. RNA extraction and purification, protein analysis, histology, multiplexed immunostaining, microscopy)
Experience with multiomics analysis and a basic understanding of bioinformatics analysis (e.g., bulk or single-cell RNA-seq analysis).
Application closing date: 25th September
Prospective students
The Cambridge Lactation Lab is accepting enquiries from prospective interns, undergraduate students, postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers.