Determining effective radiation / drug combinations for paediatric cancers

Current therapeutic options for paediatric cancers have achieved substantial improvements in rates of cure. However, these options are also associated with high levels of toxicity and the potential for long-term negative effects for patients in terms of physical, educational, psychological factors as well as increased risk of death from heart disease and secondary cancers. These longer-term effects may be reduced if more effective, but less toxic, therapies are developed.

The proposed study, the Ena Quirk / LLNI Studentship, will aims identify combinations of agents that would synergise with existing standard of care chemo- or radiotherapies allowing the use of lower doses. Panels of therapeutic agents, such as standard of care chemotherapy agents and FDA approved drugs for repurposing and radiation will be screened against a large panel of paediatric cancer cell lines treated with different type of radiation. The cell lines will be profiled by RNA-sequencing (pre-treatment). Integration of the data generated from drug response, cancer-type and molecular factors will allow identification of relevant and novel therapeutic combinations to be taken forward. The driving rationale of this innovative integrated approach would be to develop more effective therapeutic protocols that have the potential to reduce longer term effects in patients.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Candidates should have or expect to obtain a 2:1 or higher Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant biomedical or life sciences subject.

English Language

Candidates applying from countries where the first language is not English should produce evidence of their competence through a qualification such as IELTS or TOEFL score.

The minimum recommended score for the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science is:
• IELTS score of 6.0 with not less than 5.5 in each of the four component elements of listening, reading, speaking and writing taken within the last 2 years;
• TOEFL score of 80+ (internet basted test), taken within the last 2 years, with minimum component scores of; Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 17);
• A valid Certificate of Proficiency in English grade A or B;
• A valid Certificate of Advanced English grade A; or
• A first or upper second class honours degree from a university based in the UK, Republic of Ireland or other suitably quality assured location in a country deemed by the UK Border Agency to be majority English speaking.

For a list of English Language qualifications also accepted by the School and University please see the following link:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/Applying/English-language-requirements/#English

The English Language Unit (ELU) offers both pre-sessional and in-sessional courses in English for academic purposes and study skills. Courses vary in length and full information can be obtained from the ELU http://www.qub.ac.uk/tefl/