PhD Research Project

My Shortlist0

This project is no longer listed in the FindAPhD database
and may not be available.

Click here to view other PhD studentship opportunities at King’s College London.

Immune suppressive mechanisms of tumoural macrophages in breast cancer

Institution:

King’s College London

Dept/School/Faculty:

Health Schools

PhD Supervisor:

Dr J N Arnold

Application Deadline:

No more applications being accepted

Funding Availability:

Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

PhD Research Project

Click here to visit the King’s College London website

The therapeutic vaccination against breast cancer, and more widely all solid tumours, has largely been ineffective in clinical trials. This failure has been attributed to either ‘immune editing’ of the cancerous cells, or to immune suppression of T cells within the tumour. Our research focus is on tumoural macrophages, which we believe play a significant role in suppressing T cell responses in the tumour. The project will involve the characterisation and quantification of tumoural macrophages using in vivo models of breast cancer. Cells of interest will be analysed using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy techniques. The candidate will develop a cancer vaccine which will be used to raise a tumour-specific T cell response to target the cancer. The immune response will be measured using ex vivo cell assays. The role of tumoural macrophages in immune suppression will be assessed. Inhibitors against targets and pathways of interest will be given alongside the therapeutic vaccination against the cancer, with the aim to alleviate immune suppression and permit the immune system to control tumour growth. The effect on tumour growth, the immune basis of the effect, and the changes within the tumour tissue, will be evaluated using flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and histology techniques.

For further details and to apply go to: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/health/study/studentships/div-studentships/cancer/arnold.aspx

Funding Notes:

Applications are invited from candidates who hold or expect to obtain a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a relevant subject. Home/EU students only.

Fees paid at the UK/EU rate.

Stipend: £15,726 per annum (Research Council rate)