Dr Stuart McDonald, Prof Trevor Graham
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Our CRUK funded Clinical Research Fellowship provides up to 3 years’ support for clinically qualified professionals to undertake research training within Barts Cancer Institute.
This training programme, part of a multimillion pound award from CRUK, aims to develop a cohort of medically qualified scientists equipped both intellectually and technically to conduct the highest quality research on cancer.
The scheme is designed to accommodate the dual clinical-research training career path by allowing fellows to spend up to 20% of theor time on NHS sessions
Fellows will be appointed as a Clinical Research Fellow with the Institute and will be required to register for a PhD, based on research undertaken during the fellowship.
Project Outline:
Patients with oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OA) have a poor survival rate and its precursor condition, Barrett’s oesophagus is common in the UK population. However, the rate of progression to cancer in Barrett’s patients is low (~0.3%) yet every patient is enrolled on a lifelong endoscopic surveillance program. There are currently no biomarkers that accurately predict cancer risk in Barrett’s and development of these is critical so that we can focus on the patients at most need and spare invasive investigations in those at low risk. Here we propose to use a novel next generation sequencing protocol of methylation status (known to drift with age) in combination with mathematical modelling to determine the waiting time to cancer in Barrett’s patients. We have published preliminary data showing that diversity of methylation patterns of CpG islands can be used to estimate these variables acting as a ‘molecular clock’. We have recruited a cohort of patients with longitudinal specimens from those that have or have not progressed to cancer and all techniques are now established in our laboratory. This project will therefore provide a major advance in our ability to assess the waiting time to cancer in patients with Barrett’s oesophagus.
For more information, including details on how to apply please see our website:
http://www.bci.qmul.ac.uk/study-with-us/postgraduate-research/cruk-funded-clinical-research-fellowships-2017-18
Funding Notes
The fellowship will cover tuition fees for PhD registration up to the Home/EU rate.
If you are considered an overseas applicant for fee purposes, you will be responsible for paying the difference between the Home/EU and overseas rate.
You will also receive a salary commensurate with your current experience.
Continue with Facebook
