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Prof M Salmeron-Sanchez
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
The School of Engineering at the University of Glasgow is seeking a highly motivated graduate to undertake an exciting 3.5 year PhD project
“Deconstructing the tumour microenvironment – the role of fibronectin on cancer cells”
Prof. Manuel Salmerón-Sánchez
Project Description
The School of Engineering of the University of Glasgow is seeking a highly motivated graduate to undertake an exciting 3.5-year PhD project entitled ‘Deconstructing the tumour microenvironment – the role of fibronectin on cancer cells’ within the Biomedical Engineering Division. This PhD project is in collaboration with the Strathclyde Institute for Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS); SIPBS is an internationally recognised centre of excellence and a top UK School of Pharmacy.
In vitro research commonly involves the study of cancer cells in a highly artificial context that ignores the cancer microenvironment. The standard culture substrate for cancer cells is tissue culture treated polystyrene, which clearly is not in keeping with our present understanding and appreciation of the complexity of a cell microenvironment that includes multiple features such as accessory cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. However, to unravel the impact of these components on cancer cells, it is necessary to deconstruct the cancer microenvironment. We have established technologies that enable us to control the cancer ECM niche. For example, we have engineered material substrates to direct the organization of fibronectin upon adsorption, including protein density, conformation, distribution and surface strength. This PhD project will now investigate the impact of these biomimetic fibronectin surfaces on breast cancer cells. This will be accomplished by monitoring cell growth, response to treatment and the underlying signalling cascades and compare these findings with available patient data sets.
This PhD project will tie into an existing local collaboration (Prof. Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK and Dr. Philipp Seib, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow UK); the PhD candidate is expected to spend time at both Glasgow-based laboratories. Furthermore, this PhD will tie into international collaborations (Spain, Germany, USA) with the opportunity to spend time at these laboratories. The PhD candidate will be trained in cell culture, various molecular biology techniques (e.g., Western blotting, real time polymerase chain reaction), confocal microscopy, atomic force microscopy, biomaterials processing, surface modification and characterisation. As the candidate progresses through the project, he/she will be encouraged to develop the project further and will be expected to work independently.
How to apply
Application for this scholarship is made by using the online system at the following link for admission as a postgraduate research student to the Graduate School of the College of Science and Engineering:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/research/opportunities/howtoapplyforaresearchdegree/applyonline/
It should be noted that this application is to gain admission to our PGR programme with the decision on this being based on your academic achievements, and an offer of admission may be sent out before a decision on this Scholarship is made. Candidates applying for this Scholarship will have their applications further vetted as to acceptability to this Scholarship and will most likely have an interview/discussion with the supervisor before any decision is made
Contacts
For an informal discussion or for further information on this project, potential applicants are encouraged to contact:
Prof. Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez
[Email Address Removed]
Closing date – 30th June 2013
“Deconstructing the tumour microenvironment – the role of fibronectin on cancer cells”
Prof. Manuel Salmerón-Sánchez
Project Description
The School of Engineering of the University of Glasgow is seeking a highly motivated graduate to undertake an exciting 3.5-year PhD project entitled ‘Deconstructing the tumour microenvironment – the role of fibronectin on cancer cells’ within the Biomedical Engineering Division. This PhD project is in collaboration with the Strathclyde Institute for Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS); SIPBS is an internationally recognised centre of excellence and a top UK School of Pharmacy.
In vitro research commonly involves the study of cancer cells in a highly artificial context that ignores the cancer microenvironment. The standard culture substrate for cancer cells is tissue culture treated polystyrene, which clearly is not in keeping with our present understanding and appreciation of the complexity of a cell microenvironment that includes multiple features such as accessory cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. However, to unravel the impact of these components on cancer cells, it is necessary to deconstruct the cancer microenvironment. We have established technologies that enable us to control the cancer ECM niche. For example, we have engineered material substrates to direct the organization of fibronectin upon adsorption, including protein density, conformation, distribution and surface strength. This PhD project will now investigate the impact of these biomimetic fibronectin surfaces on breast cancer cells. This will be accomplished by monitoring cell growth, response to treatment and the underlying signalling cascades and compare these findings with available patient data sets.
This PhD project will tie into an existing local collaboration (Prof. Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK and Dr. Philipp Seib, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow UK); the PhD candidate is expected to spend time at both Glasgow-based laboratories. Furthermore, this PhD will tie into international collaborations (Spain, Germany, USA) with the opportunity to spend time at these laboratories. The PhD candidate will be trained in cell culture, various molecular biology techniques (e.g., Western blotting, real time polymerase chain reaction), confocal microscopy, atomic force microscopy, biomaterials processing, surface modification and characterisation. As the candidate progresses through the project, he/she will be encouraged to develop the project further and will be expected to work independently.
How to apply
Application for this scholarship is made by using the online system at the following link for admission as a postgraduate research student to the Graduate School of the College of Science and Engineering:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/research/opportunities/howtoapplyforaresearchdegree/applyonline/
It should be noted that this application is to gain admission to our PGR programme with the decision on this being based on your academic achievements, and an offer of admission may be sent out before a decision on this Scholarship is made. Candidates applying for this Scholarship will have their applications further vetted as to acceptability to this Scholarship and will most likely have an interview/discussion with the supervisor before any decision is made
Contacts
For an informal discussion or for further information on this project, potential applicants are encouraged to contact:
Prof. Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez
[Email Address Removed]
Closing date – 30th June 2013
Funding Notes
The Scholarship is supported by the School of Engineering, and it will cover the tuition fees and provide a stipend of £13,590 per annum for 3.5 years.
To be eligible for this Scholarship, applicants must be nationals of the UK or EU.
To be eligible for this Scholarship, applicants must be nationals of the UK or EU.
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