PhD Studentship- Role of Extracellular Matrix in Hypoxic Metastasis

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Medicine
Location:  UK Other
Closing Date:  Tuesday 16 January 2024
Reference:  MED1968

Subject area       (BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership, Researcher Academy)

UoN Supervisor names  Kenton Arkill

Research Title    Role of Extracellular Matrix in Hypoxic Metastasis 

Research Description      The extracellular matrix plays a vital role in the local tumour microenvironments modulating both physical properties and molecular features. The glycosaminoglycans are polysaccharide chains and arguably the most dynamic of the extracellular matrix components. There are relatively few glycosaminoglycans but include heparan sulphate, chondroitin sulphate and hyaluronan. Most importantly the biological complexity of the polysaccharide chains depends on their post translation modifications. These modifications can significantly alter cell phenotypes hence implications for functional changes during development, in tumours, or during ischemia are wide reaching.

The project partners the University of Nottingham’s “GlycoWeb ” funding novel glycosaminoglycan analysis and detection techniques. This fundamental doctoral training program position will use those novel techniques to study the underpinning tumour microenvironment on a cellular scale. We will test the hypothesis that the metastatic cells within a tumour have a different glycosaminoglycan profile to the surrounding cells enabling both proliferation and migration from the tumour.

The project aims to initially understand cellular response using 2D (gene edited) models and then transfer this to 3D models using a hydrogel system developed by our industrial partners (PeptiMatrix™ ). The successful student will then develop 3D correlative imaging techniques based around a multiphoton fluorescent map of the 3D culture before beyond state-of-the-art analysis techniques for GAGs including spatial transcriptomics/metabolomics and imaging mass spectrometry.

The position is based in the University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute with four floors of multidisciplinary laboratories and will have team support with cross-school scientific and clinical researchers. We have a strong record in developing and training scientists and this project has an industrial placement to gain non-academic scientific experience. 

Award Start Date              October 2024

Duration of Award           4 years 

Terms and Conditions    Home and international students are welcome to apply for this opportunity. Funding is available for four years from late September 2024. The award covers tuition fee (£4,712) at the home rate plus an annual stipend which was (£18,622) for 2023. This is set by the Research Councils. Please note that successful international candidates will be put forward for a University Fees Difference Scholarship to cover the difference between the home and international fee.

Applicant Qualification Requirements    To apply and check your eligibility, please click go to https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/bbdtp/apply/how-to-apply.aspx and you can find further information about how to apply to our programme. 

How to apply    

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

Apply online here by noon on Tuesday 16th January 2024