Engineering exosome-based therapeutics for cancer

Exosomes are cell-derived vesicles that carry proteins and RNAs for intercellular communication. Recently, they have been seen as a promising tool to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment. Exosomes have successfully delivered cancer therapeutics, such as siRNA, microRNA and cytotoxic drugs. Several clinical trials on exosome-based therapies for cancer treatment are ongoing. Exosomes are less toxic and better tolerated in the body. They have shown an intrinsic homing ability to a wide range of cells, including healthy and diseased tissues. This project aims to engineer targeted exosomes, as a new approach to improve the delivery of cancer therapeutics to deep-seated and metastatic prostate cancer lesions.

This highly interdisciplinary project combines expertise in molecular biology, active targeting, drug delivery and nanomedicine. It will provide a unique opportunity for excellent students to work in a stimulating multidisciplinary team. The candidate will be working on isolating exosomes and functionalising them with targeting moieties that recognise advanced prostate cancer cells. The developed exosomes will be characterised using nanoparticle tracking analysis, electron microscopy, qRT-PCR and western blot, confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry. The project will also involve evaluating the exosomes behavior in vivo models. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated, hard-working graduate with excellent communication and organizational skills