About the Project
PROJECT
Successful drug development in oncology is grossly suboptimal. This is a direct result of the field’s limited capacity propagate primary cancer cells in vitro, and even in vivo as patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). Most PDXs establishment strategies take tumour pieces, or a cancer cell suspension (generally suspended in Matrigel), and implant this subcutaneously or under the kidney capsule in immune compromised mice. The “pieces” approach attempts to use the existing tissue structure and support cells to facilitate PDXs establishment, while “Matrigel-type” approaches aim to use the growth factor and matrix-rich gel to facilitate PDXs establishment. Unfortunately, the success rate for PDXs establishment remains low for most cancers, and especially for circulating tumour cells (CTCs), which are particularly interesting from scientific and clinic perspective.
Our team has a long-standing interest in the establishment of challenging PDXs from solid tumors and circulating tumor cells derived from prostate cancer (PCa), breast cancer (BCa), and lung cancer (LCa). Recently, we developed a novel xenograft platform that improves the survival and propagation of disassociated single cancer cells. This technology enables interrogation of specific cancer cell populations, including characterisation of tumour initiating capacity, drug sensitivity and the study of tumour heterogeneity.
Goals within the project include:
1. Development of new culture platforms and medium formulations to enable the propagation of primary cancer cells in vitro.
2. Development of new platforms to improve the reliability of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) from prostate, breast and lung cancer.
3. Development of new in vitro culture systems and PDX platforms to study tumour heterogeneity.
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS:
We seek promising candidates from Australia and elsewhere in the world who have a background in biomedical sciences (BSc) or biomedical engineering (BEng). Applicants should have an excellent GPA, be self-motivated and dedicated to a career in science/discovery. Applicants must have some prior research experience. Ideally, applicants will have a first author publication, although this is not essential.
You can view the QUT PhD entrance requirements here - https://www.qut.edu.au/study/applying/phd-and-research-degree-applications and here https://www.qut.edu.au/study/international-courses/doctor-of-philosophy/doctor-of-philosophy-health
Successful applicants will have excellent communication skills, and be proficient in speaking/writing in English. Projects will requires both independent work as well as regular interaction with surgeons, veterinary surgeons, other research team members, as well as our local Translational Research Institute community. This is a high quality, and intense environment where students are expected to engage in regular presentations and actively contribute to our multidisciplinary team.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
Please sent a cover letter describing your relevant background and interests, a CV, transcripts, and list of three potential referees.
RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT
A/Prof Mike Doran’s laboratory is based at the Translational Research Institute - https://www.tri.edu.au
The Translational Research Institute (TRI) is a unique, Australian-first initiative of ‘bench to bedside’ medical research. TRI combines clinical and translational research to advance progress from laboratory discovery to application in the community.
A/Prof Doran is employed through QUT, and his profile can be viewed here – http://staff.qut.edu.au/staff/doranm/
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT
The TRI is located in an inner city suburb of Brisbane Australia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brisbane
Brisbane is a subtropical international city, with a very strong biomedical science community. Brisbane has excellent public transport, and is very close to costal attractions such as https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_Coast,_Queensland and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_Coast,_Queensland
Funding Notes
FUNDING NOTES
The PhD program is intended to be a 3-year intensive research-based opportunity for students to receive high quality, hands-on training, leading to the development of competitive independent researchers.
Successful applicants will be awarded a QUT fee waiver, and a supervisor’s scholarship of ~$26,682 per year. There are multiple opportunities for strong students to compete for additional scholarship funding that will function to increase the value of their total scholarship package.
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