Dr S Pimlott, Prof A Chalmers
Applications accepted all year round
About the Project
Start date: 1st October 2016
Stipend: £14,296
Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging can be used to non-invasively assess tumours at a molecular level. Interest in PET imaging of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) has grown in recent years due to the ability of PARP-1 to act as a biomarker for glioblastoma and increased clinical use of PARP-1 inhibitors. This project aims further develop a 18F-labelled PARP-1 inhibitor PET tracer and investigate the potential of using this strategy to image glioblastoma.
The project will involve performing radio labelling protocols to obtain the 18F-labelled PARP-1 inhibitor and microPET/MR imaging in a panel of glioblastoma xenograft mouse models derived from primary cell cultures. The project will investigate the ability to measure PARP-1 inhibitor occupancy in different organs, as well as test the hypothesis that conjunctive treatment with radiotherapy or chemotherapy will modify the kinetics and activity of PARP-1 inhibitor treatment by inducing DNA damage and PARP-1 trapping. This information is crucial to informing dosing and scheduling regimes to improve treatment efficacy and may also impact on patient selection and monitoring of treatment response. Investigation of effects and distribution of PARP-1 and PARP inhibitors in critical normal tissues has potential to inform dosing and scheduling to minimise normal tissue toxicity.
The student will receive excellent multidisciplinary training across a number of scientific fields including radiochemistry, cancer biology, and molecular imaging. A successful candidate for this PhD studentship will have a strong background in cancer biology, chemistry and/or pharmacology.
For informal discussions contact Dr Sally Pimlott ([Email Address Removed])
Formal applications with details of all University course grades to date, contact details of at least two academic referees and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the PhD position. Applicants should hold (or expect to be awarded) a first class or upper-second class undergraduate degree or equivalent in biological, chemical or pharmacological discipline and have research experience in a relevant field.
Please refer to the following website for details on how to apply:
www.gla.ac.uk/research/opportunities/howtoapplyforaresearchdegree
Funding Notes
Funding is available to cover tuition fees for UK/EU applicants, as well as paying a stipend at the Research Council rate (EPSRC) for 3.5 years.
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