Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer in children. Patients presenting without metastasis have a 5-year survival rate of 65%. However, treatment is intensive and associated with multiple adverse effects, including infection, hearing loss, kidney dysfunction, infertility and secondary malignancies. Children spend prolonged periods in hospital, and a minority will die due to treatment complications rather than disease. Moreover, there are few effective therapeutic options for relapsed or resistant disease. This disease therefore prevents these children from leading healthy independent lives.
Novel therapeutic options are urgently required for osteosarcoma. Here a novel laboratory model of osteosarcoma will be used to test several targeted anti-tumour agents based on our recent cell culture data. Pre-clinical measurement of effectiveness and markers of resistance for these targeted therapies will be assessed using our novel osteosarcoma model in combination with advanced mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) technologies. Promising therapeutics will be identified as candidates to be taken forward into clinical trials.
Efficacy will be evaluated using our 3-dimensional (3D cell) cell culture pre-clinical models and methodologies for the study of metabolic pathways assessed by MSI developed at SHU. The project will make an excellent PhD project; the student will gain expertise in 3D cell culture and mass spectrometry, genuine strengths of the BMRC where there are thriving student communities in both of these areas.
This project is supported by Waters and AstraZeneca and the student will have the opportunity to spend extended periods in the laboratories of these companies giving access to additional world class facilities and expertise.Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer in children. Patients presenting without metastasis have a 5-year survival rate of 65%. However, treatment is intensive and associated with multiple adverse effects, including infection, hearing loss, kidney dysfunction, infertility and secondary malignancies. Children spend prolonged periods in hospital, and a minority will die due to treatment complications rather than disease. Moreover, there are few effective therapeutic options for relapsed or resistant disease. This disease therefore prevents these children from leading healthy independent lives.
Eligibility
Information on entry requirements can be found at https://www.shu.ac.uk/courses/biosciences-and-chemistry/phd-biomolecular-sciences-research-centre/full-time
Applicants should have a degree in chemistry, or any other relevant area, at a minimum of 2.1.
How to apply
We strongly recommend you contact the lead academic, Prof Malcolm Clench ([Email Address Removed]), , to discuss your application.
Application Guidance
Applicants must submit the following as part of their formal application:
1. Formal application to University (Note a research proposal is not required for this application)
2. A letter of intent (Maximum 1500 words) detailing:
(a) which project you are applying for,
(b) why you are interested, and your academic understanding of the project
(c) why you feel you would be the ideal candidate, utilising evidence from your prior achievements and experience which are important to PhD study in general and the specific project.
Start date for studentship: October 2022
Interviews are scheduled for: Late June-Early July 2022
For information on how to apply please visit https://www.shu.ac.uk/research/degrees
Your application should be emailed to [Email Address Removed] by the closing date of 31st May 2022.
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