Main Supervisor: Dr Matthew Blunt
Other members of the supervisory team: Dr Andres Vallejo and Professor Salim Khakoo
Start date: 23/09/2024
Project description:
Immunotherapy offers a kinder and safer treatment approach for patients with cancer. In this project, we will utilise primary cancer patient samples and spatial transcriptomics in combination with a range of functional cell-based assays to aid the design of improved immunotherapies for patients with blood cancer.
Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma who become resistant to current therapies have a poor survival prognosis. In these patients, the lymph nodes are the critical tissue site for tumour cell survival, proliferation, and drug resistance however at present, it is unclear as to how the immune system interacts with cancer cells in the lymph nodes. Greater understanding of this concept will facilitate the development of more effective and more rational combinations of therapies. Our recent experiments have identified that the lymph node environment causes CLL cells to become resistant to attack by the immune system. In this project, we will utilise primary cancer patient samples and spatial transcriptomics to identify the best way to overcome this resistance mechanism. This will allow for more effective therapies to be developed for patients and by working closely with clinicians at the University Hospital Southampton we will ensure that this project has the best possibility of helping patients. During this project the student will be fully trained in 3D cell culture, bioinformatic analysis and cellular immunology techniques and will establish a 3D transcriptomic pipeline with utility for investigations into other cancers of unmet need. You will also be part of a team of research technicians, PhD students, postdoctoral research fellows and clinical research fellows all focused on NK cell research.
The successful candidate is likely to have the following qualifications:
- A 1st or 2:1 degree in a relevant discipline and/or second degree with a related Masters. A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent in a relevant degree (biology, immunology, biomedical science, or similar). This project will involve analysis of single cell RNA sequencing data and so the student must evidence their willingness to learn bioinformatic skills.
Funding information:
Due to funding restrictions this position is only open to UK applicants plus fees at UK residency rate only.
The stipend (living allowance) is £19,135.00 in year one rising to £20,203 in year 3 and will be paid for 3.5 years.
The project is funded by the Wessex Medical Trust.
Administrative contact and how to apply:
Please complete the University's online application form, which you can find at
https://student-selfservice.soton.ac.uk/BNNRPROD/bzsksrch.P_Login?pos=7201&majr=7201&term=202425
You should enter Dr Matthew Blunt as your proposed supervisor. To support your application provide an academic CV (including contact details of two referees), official academic transcripts and a personal statement (outlining your suitability for the studentship, what you hope to achieve from the PhD and your research experience to date).
Informal enquiries relating to the project or candidate suitability should be directed to Dr Matthew Blunt, [email protected]
Closing date: 20th February 2024