Analytical and Applied Biosciences - Developing biosensors for early detection of cancer and other diseases.

Analytical and Applied Biosciences - Developing biosensors for early detection of cancer and other diseases.

Applicants should use the links provided in each topic or project area to the Research Centres and Research Groups identified, or to the named supervisors for each project, to ensure that their application and proposal fits with the research interests and topics defined in the studentships offered.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival of all common cancers, with five-year survival less than 7%. Despite poor outcomes globally, UK lags behind rest of the developed world, ranking 29th out of 33 countries for five years survival. Early diagnosis which could offer a potential curative surgery is crucial to improve survival outcome for people with pancreatic cancer. However, diagnosing pancreatic cancer at early stage is significantly challenging due to the relatively low prevalence of pancreatic cancer rendering infeasible general population screening, late symptom presentations, delay in the referral pathway and the lack of a simple and sensitive diagnostic tool available for healthcare professional. The diagnostic tests currently in use for pancreatic cancer including CT (computerised tomography) scan, blood test (i.e., CA19-9 test), MRI/PET(positron emission tomography)/CT and ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) are expensive and cannot detect the disease at the early stage. In response to this challenge, this PhD project aims to develop a proof of concept and low-cost biosensor for early detection of pancreatic cancer. Circulating biomarkers such as exosomes, secreted from cells, play an important role in intercellular communication and cancer pathogenesis. Exosomes have been identified in multiple biological fluids, such as blood, urine, saliva, making them attractive candidates for non-invasive biomarker identification for early stages cancer, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). By combining the strengths of nanostructures-based immune-magnetic manipulation of samples and sensitive electrochemical readout in a modular platform, this project will offer innovation to augment the power of existing and novel exosome biomarkers through isolation, enrichment and detection of PDAC specific exosomes. We hope that with further realisation of the downstream consequences and miniaturisation of the diagnostic platform, our biosensor will find potential relevance as an early PDAC “screening” tool for the ultimate placement within the primary care setting to screen high risk cohorts. 

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a good honours degree (2:1 or above) in a relevant discipline. A masters level qualification in a relevant discipline is desirable, but not essential, as well as a demonstrable understanding of the research area. Further details of the expected background may appear in the specific project details. International students will be subject to the standard entry criteria relating to English language ability, ATAS clearance and, when relevant, UK visa requirements and procedures.

How to apply

Please use the Online Application (Funded PHD) application form for the year starting ‘October 2020’. When asked to specify funding select “other” and enter ‘RDS’ and the title of the PhD project that you are applying for. You should ensure that you clearly indicate that you are applying for a Funded Studentship and the title of the topic or project on the proposal that you will need to upload when applying. If you would like to apply for more than one project, you will need to complete a further application form and specify the relevant title for each application to a topic or project. 

Applications for studentships that do not clearly indicate that the application is for a Funded Studentship and state the title of the project applied for on the proposal may mean that your application may not be considered for the appropriate funding. 

For administrative enquiries before or when making your application, contact [Email Address Removed].

After an application has been made, please contact [Email Address Removed]

Select process

All applications received by the closing date will be considered. Successful applicants at the application stage will be shortlisted and contacted to arrange an interview. All interviews will be held online. Unsuccessful applicants will be contacted to confirm that the application will not be progressed. After interview, all interviewed applicants will be contacted to inform them of the outcome. All applicants will be considered for both Fully Funded PhD and Fees-Paid PhD studentships with the decision about the type of studentship offered to a successful candidate made after interviews have taken place. Successful applicants progressing to an offer of a place, to commence in either May or October 2021.

About Teesside

As a Teesside University research student, you will join a growing and dynamic research community, allowing you to share your experiences, insight and inspiration with fellow researchers. You will benefit from our academic expertise, and be supported through a strong programme of research training. You will be offered opportunities and support at each stage of your research degree. Our research is designed to have impact, and to influence policy and practice within our region, the UK and beyond. We work with external organisations to anticipate and respond to research needs, and to put our research into practice in sectors as diverse as the arts, engineering, healthcare and computing. PhD students are encouraged to work with their supervisors to explore the potential impact of their work.

The successful candidate will be expected to participate fully in research group and centre activities, including training sessions and workshops, and will become a member of the University’s wider postgraduate research community. Mentoring and support will be provided for the development of a strong academic and professional CV during the PhD.

Academic enquiries

For academic enquiries, please contact [Email Address Removed].

For administrative enquiries before or when making your application, contact [Email Address Removed].

Key dates

Deadline: 15/02/2021 5:00PM

Interview date: We envisage that interviews will take place in w/c 22 March 2021.

Start date: Successful applicants will be expected to start May or October 2021.