Proton irradiation of 3D cell models at ultrahigh dose rates.

PhD Studentship: Centre for Advanced and Interdisciplinary Radiation Research (CAIRR) at Queen’s University Belfast


Title:
Proton irradiation of 3D cell models at ultrahigh dose rates.


Novel technologies for particle beam production based on the use of high power lasers offer the opportunity to access novel and virtually unexplored regimes of radiobiology. In particular, the ultrashort burst nature of laser-accelerated proton beams allows the irradiation of cell samples at extreme dose rates exceeding 109 Gy/s, while delivering biologically significant doses in a single irradiation. An assessment of biological responses under these extreme conditions underpins any future biomedical use of this acceleration technology, and is aimed to highlight any differences associated to the highly pulsed nature of the irradiation. This has motivated a programme of radiobiology studies employing laser driven ions, both at QUB (within the framework of the EPSRC-funded A-SAIL programme) and internationally, which has so far concentrated almost exclusively on planar cell models. Moving to 3D models is the next logical step towards a more clinically relevant context, a transition which has highlighted significant differences in the irradiation response with conventional photon sources, due to altered cell-to-cell signalling and the presence of naturally occurring oxygen, nutrient and metabolite gradients. Therefore, increasing the physiological relevance of pre-clinical experimental models may be key to unveiling novel cell response mechanisms to these high dose rate sources.

This project will combine expertise in laser-driven ion beam delivery and the in-house TARANIS system available in CPP, with the bio-capability in the School of Pharmacy using the recently acquired InSphero high-throughput spheroid analysis platform. This system overcomes many of the previous technical and time demanding challenges associated with collecting dynamic measurements of spheroid viability/growth in a rapid, non-invasive manner. This cross-school approach will allow for the first time exploration of the response of 3D cell culture models to proton treatment using ultra-high dose rates.

Further Details

For further details visit the Centre for Plasma Physics website: http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/CentreforPlasmaPhysics/

Entry Requirements

Candidates should hold at least a 2.1 BSc (or equivalent) in Physics or relevant subject.

Application process

Candidates should submit a CV with details of two referees by email to Maurice Macartney: [Email Address Removed]

Informal enquiries to Prof Fred Currell: [Email Address Removed]

Deadline

The submission deadline is 5:00 Friday 24 February 2017