Brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer deaths in children and adults under the age of 40. High-grade Gliob lastoma is treated by surgery followed by chemo/radiotherapy but recurs in the majority of patients and new treatments need to be developed. During recurrence it is known that stem cell migration and neuroinflammation of the brain microenvironment play a role in disease progression. In this project we will test the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome by focussing on the impact of radiotherapy on retuning of the inflammasome with a focus on the role of ion-channel mediated signalling. We will characterise physiological expression and function of NLRP3, P2X7R and BK channels in patient-derived 2D and 3D glioblastoma stem cell models in response to irradiation. We will characterise the effects of modulating ion-channel expression by pharmacological inhibition or knockdown/overexpression and its impact on radiation response focussing on inflammatory markers, migration and cell death. Using co-cultures of glioblastoma cells with tumour-associated macrophages we will also assess immune responses before and after irradiation in combination with inhibitors of the inflammasome.
The project will highlight relevant biology for the development of new approaches to improve time to recurrence for brain tumour patients.
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.