PhD Studentship: Investigating the mechanism and impact of bioelectric modulation of cancer-immune axis in human brain cancer.

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Veterinary Medicine & Science
Location:  UK Other
Closing Date:  Thursday 15 February 2024
Reference:  MED1987

Principal supervisor: Anna Malecka

Other supervisors:  Frankie Rawson, Adam Blanchard 

Project description:

We are looking for an enthusiastic student to work on a fully funded PhD project which will investigate the involvement of electrical signalling in the crosstalk between immune cells and Glioblastoma and its impact on cancer growth. You will perform research on human primary macrophages and cancer cells isolated from glioblastoma patients. Glioblastoma is the most common brain cancer attacking both adults and children with most patients dying within one year. Current treatment options are extremely limited due to cancer localisation, high invasiveness, and heterogeneity. Furthermore, cancer highjacks local immune cells, such as macrophages, which instead of eradicating the mutated cells, aid their survival and spread. Macrophages are the most numerous immune cells in the cancer environment and play crucial role in glioblastoma resistance to therapies.  With the traditional therapeutic approaches failing, there is urgent need to develop novel strategies which can overcome current limitations. 

Bioelectric Medicine is a fast-growing branch of medicine which exploits cells’ electrical circuity to treat diseases. Recent discoveries showed that every cell in the body is electrically active and the changes in cells electrical state lead to improper immune responses and the development of cancer. This interdisciplinary project will combine cancer immunology and electrochemistry to dissect the mechanisms by which cancer highjacks immune cells electric circuity to affect their functions and identify potential therapeutic targets. 

This highly interdisciplinary project runs across schools in Malecka and Rawson labs and will be primarily based in the BioDicovery Institute with access to world-class laboratory facilities and state-of-the-art equipment. You will be part of Cancer Immunology Group with support from multiple academic and clinical researchers and friendly PhD students. 

Methodology:

You will develop wide ranging skills in immunology, molecular biology, Advanced Flow Cytometry and Microscopy, Transcriptomics, Bioinformatics, and Statistics.

References:

Robinson, Andie J., et al. "Toward hijacking bioelectricity in cancer to develop new bioelectronic medicine." Advanced Therapeutics 2021

Andersen, Johannes K., Hrvoje Miletic, and Jubayer A. Hossain. "Tumor-associated macrophages in gliomas—basic insights and treatment opportunities." Cancers 2022

Further information and Application

Experience/Background: Excellent cell culture and communication skills. Experience in molecular biology and statistics. 

Minimum of a Bachelor of Science (2.1 or higher) in immunology, biology, or other related discipline from the life sciences. 

Informal enquiries may be addressed to [email protected] ; [email protected]

Candidates should apply online and include a CV.  When completing the online application form, please select the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, then PhD Veterinary Medicine and Science (36m) and, once submitted, send your student ID number to [email protected].

Any queries regarding the application process should be addressed to [email protected].

Closing date: 15.02.2024

Interview Date: 27.02.2024

Start Date: 1st April 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Eligibility for Funding

This is a fully funded studentship open to UK nationals only. For Home student eligibility guidelines, please refer to the UKRI website