Project Highlights
Explore how data and 'omics is currently integrated and used in the clinical management of blood cancers
Integrate complex data into clinical decision support processes
Create clinically focussed tools to support innovative decision making approaches which are transferrable across different specialities.
Project
Background: Genomic data is one of the most powerful tools available to facilitate precision medicine (1). Advances in understanding the genetic basis of haematological malignancies, have improved disease classification, risk stratification and facilitated the identification of new therapeutic targets (2). However, practical use of genomic information is suboptimal due to multiple factors, including accessibility, knowledge gaps (e.g. rare cancers), and poor integration of genomic data with clinical information (3,4,5). Consideration also needs to be given to how best to use and present this information to clinicians and patients and in what context such clinical decision support (CDS) tools should exist (6). This project will explore how we could better use genomic and clinical data in combination to drive advances in clinical care and research.
Research Plan:
The project has three stages:
1. Explore how data and 'omics is currently used in clinical care of haematological cancers and healthcare systems that surround it. This will involve a comprehensive literature review for 'omics driven clinical decision support; focus groups with stakeholders (local clinicians, allied healthcare providers and patients); and assessing handling and access to data. Focus groups will concentrate on how ‘omics is used in clinical practice and how it could be improved or changed.
2. Use learnings from stage 1 and our existing CDS framework to develop decision support algorithms/processes which integrate existing models, data processing and patient clinical and genomics data. This tool would have the potential for use in clinical and research settings. Existing anonymised data will be used to carry out evaluation/testing of processes.
3. Co-design a pilot front-end for CDS based on Stage 2, which will effectively support decision making and generate research hypotheses. Run clinician-based focus group and undertake qualitative analysis using simulations based on example anonymised data.
Expected outcomes and impact: This project will produce a data-driven CDS tool which could personalise cancer care and research across the UK and Europe. Through this and continuing development of the underlying CDS framework, it should be generalisable for other specialities and embeddable within/interoperable with electronic patient records. Publications will include a systematic review of genomics in the context of cancer care; and technical/evaluation papers related to the introduction of CDS. More broadly, CDS application within the clinic, has the potential to reduce costs and burden within healthcare services through prevention, earlier diagnosis and access to precision treatments. It will also better inform clinicians and patients about disease trajectory.
Entry requirements
Applicants are required to hold/or expect to obtain a UK Bachelor's Degree 2:1 or better (or overseas equivalent) in a relevant subject before the study start date.
The University of Leicester English language requirements apply.
Eligibility
Open to UK and Overseas* applicants.
*Please refer to the funding section
*Applicants holding EU Settled or Pre-Settled status, we will require a UK government share code so that we can verify your status (The share code we require starts with S). Please email your share code together with your application ID to [Email Address Removed] once you have submitted your PhD application.
Informal enquiries
Project/funding enquiries [Email Address Removed]
Application advice [Email Address Removed]
To apply
Please refer to our BRC web page, follow the application information under How to Apply section and use the online application link at
https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/funded-opportunities/brc
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