Project summary:
In chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) the disease is initiated and driven by leukaemic stem cell (LSCs) which have acquired the BCR-ABL1 oncogene. Whilst most chronic phase CML patients respond well to life-long tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy, patients with aggressive blast phase (BP) disease have drug-resistant, heterogeneous LSC sub-populations, fail TKI therapy and their prognosis remains very poor. Thus, there is urgent clinical need to develop novel therapies for BP patients. This projects aims to determine computationally and experimentally which BP patients may respond most favorably to agents that we have identified in our laboratories to target LSC. The project will make use of existing RNA-seq and DNA-seq datasets that inform on the activity of LSC drug targets, and will generate additional RNA-seq experiments for BP patient samples at diagnosis and at relapse. All of this ‘omics data will be integrated computationally and state-of-the-art machine learning and artificial intelligence will be used to stratify samples with respect to LSC target activity and anticipated drug responses. Based on these predictions, samples will be tested with agents in the laboratory to determine whether they are effective at eradicating LSC populations in vitro and in pre-clinical mouse models. The outcomes of this project are likely to inform the design of future clinical trials for BP disease.
Project Q&A Session
Friday 2nd December, 1100 hrs.
ZOOM Meeting
https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/j/2760997553?pwd=RE1qWTNjNW5UVldNQWxsUS82d3h5dz09
Email: [Email Address Removed] for password information.
About the Programme
This MRC programme is joint between the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. You will be registered at the host institution of the primary supervisor detailed in your project selection.
All applications should be made via the University of Edinburgh, irrespective of project location. For those applying to a University of Glasgow project, your application along with any supporting documents will be shared with University of Glasgow.
How to Apply: https://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/mvls/graduateschool/mrcdtpprecisionmedicine/howtoapply/
Please note, you must apply to one of the projects and you must contact the primary supervisor prior to making your application. Additional information on the application process is available here: http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/degrees/index.php?r=site/view&id=919
For more information about Precision Medicine visit:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/usher/precision-medicine
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