Radiation therapy (RT) helps cure children with brain tumours, but can lead to lifelong toxicities, e.g., impaired cognition, endocrinopathy, and vasculopathy. Thanks to modern technology (e.g., Proton Beam Therapy), treatments are extremely precise and improvements can be actioned quickly. As our understanding of dose-response relationships increases, we can spare (sub-)structures in the brain linked to toxicities, and tailor treatments for each patient. However, the major bottleneck is the latency between treatment and symptomatic effects, which can manifest clinically years after treatment. We propose to shorten this learning cycle to implement changes in RT faster.
Hypothesis:
Brain regions driving long-term toxicities can be identified earlier in the treatment-to-outcome cycle, using novel voxel-based methods and surrogate markers identified on imaging data routinely acquired during the RT pathway.
Aims:
1) Identify morphological changes in the brain on follow-up images of children treated for paediatric tumours, link to toxicities, and develop dose sparing strategies.
2) Back-translate findings to preclinical studies to validate sensitivity of different brain regions to radiotherapy and dose sparing strategies.
The candidate selected for this project will have a unique opportunity to work within an exciting supportive multidisciplinary environment (physicists, computer scientists, biologists, preclinical/ clinical scientists and healthcare professionals). They will receive training in advanced image processing including segmentation, registration as well as a solid foundation in radiotherapy and the challenges of cancer treatment a project is linked to several large-scale grants and research programmes. In addition, they will have to work at the interface of advanced technologies and an important societal and quality-of-life issue for cancer survivors, fitting within the theme “Living with and beyond cancer”.
Twitter: @RT_physics, @marianneaznar
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, at least an upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
How to Apply
To be considered for this project you MUST submit a single formal online application form. Please select EPSRC PhD Programme on the online application form. For information on how to apply for this project, full entry requirements please visit the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Doctoral Academy website (https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/). You can apply for up to two EPSRC projects on one application form.
Applicants interested in this project should make direct contact with the Primary Supervisor to arrange to discuss the project further before making an online application. Formal panel interviews will be held in late June.
Your application form must be accompanied by a number of supporting documents by the advertised deadline. Without all the required documents submitted at the time of application, your application will not be processed and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you have any queries regarding making an application please contact our admissions team [Email Address Removed]
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full Equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on the website https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/equality-diversity-inclusion/
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