DNA damage imaging: Developing PET and SPECT imaging agents targeted against DNA damage proteins

Activation of DNA damage repair proteins plays a key role in cellular response to oncogenic stress and DNA damaging agents, such as most chemotherapies, or radiotherapy.
Non-invasive visualisation and quantification of activated DNA damage signalling in vivo, by PET or SPECT imaging would provide an incredibly useful tool for assessing tumour-inducing oncogenic stress, aid with early diagnosis of cancer, and may act as marker to evaluate the efficacy chemo- and radiotherapy in individual patients.

The aim of the project is to develop PET and SPECT imaging agents targeted against DNA damage proteins, based on antibodies, labelled with fluorophores or the radioactive isotopes 111In and 89Zr.

This project will involve both in vitro and in vivo models of cancer, together with a variety of microscopy, molecular biology and in vivo imaging techniques, and would suit a biology, chemistry, or biochemistry graduate with interests in cancer and/or imaging.