Organoids are multicellular “miniature organs”, displaying architectures and functionalities of organs, thus offering a window to investigate complex human/animal diseases.
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest cancers with 90% of its origin being unclear. Recently a link between the human microbiome, its relationship with the immune system and pancreas carcinogenesis has been identified.
The aim of the project is to establish an organoid model for the evaluation of bacteria in host-pathogen interactions and as agents at the onset/development of PC.
We will explore pancreatic organoids, spheroids and classical tissue culture capitalising on preliminary evidence generated in the laboratory and using innovative novel technologies in collaboration with our industrial partners.
The generated models will be harnessed towards host-pathogen interaction studies to assess, (a) bacterial adhesion, internalization, and survival, (b) biofilm formation, (c) microbial-mediated changes on host cell survival, signalling, and cellular processes (including malignant transformation). The potential for other organoids to be developed will also be explored.
The student will become an integral part of the research group and will be embedded within the thorough and student-focused Doctoral Training Centre programmes, the broader vibrant UCLan postgraduate research community, and the School of Medicine. The interaction with the supervisory team, and other members of the research group as well as with peers and colleagues in the research facility will be continuous, which jointly with attentive process monitoring will facilitate to maximize productivity through student support and satisfaction. With close supervisory guidance, the trainee will design and refine experimental plans, undertake the research programme, record/storage/analyse/interpret/report/present data, contribute to and partake on all activities within the research team.
Further information
Informal project related enquiries about the post can be made to Katja Vogt ([Email Address Removed]) or Jorge Garcia-Lara ([Email Address Removed])
For the application form and full details go to: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/studentships
Completed application forms should be returned to the Research Admissions email [Email Address Removed] quoting the studentship reference number DTC49
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