Metabolic reprogramming is a common mechanism by which cancer cells become resistant to chemotherapy. The understanding of energetic dependencies in IDHmutant GBM demonstrated how targeting tumour metabolism is a powerful strategy to significantly enhance response to treatment, providing disease control and prolonging survival in these patients. However, only ~6% of all GBM carry this mutation, and the majority relies on chemotherapies such as temozolomide (TMZ), to which they quickly become resistant. This project aims to identify and similarly exploit the metabolic vulnerabilities of the vast majority of GBM patients, which are IDHWT. Advanced technologies and state-of-the-art preclinical models will be implemented to profile TMZ-resistant GBM cellularly, transcriptionally, metabolically and phenotypically. Physiological models will allow unpicking of metabolic programs governing resistance to TMZ in situ, to clearly identify the biological mechanisms promoting TMZ resistance, by determining if those originate within the tumour cells themselves or are sustained by cells in the surrounding stroma. Upon determining metabolic targets, we will design therapeutic combinations to promote better responses to TMZ clinically, to effectively eliminate tumour cells whilst preserving brain health – a consideration lacking in most studies that model treatment responses by profiling cancer cells in isolation, instead of within translationally relevant physiological systems.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
You must hold or expect to get an upper second class honours degree from a university in the UK or Ireland, or qualifications and experience considered by the University as equivalent to that standard. Candidates who already hold a doctoral degree, or who have registered on a PhD for one year (or part-time equivalent) or not eligible.
English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.
For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
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