Fixed-term

Details The brain’s complexity has long been framed through the lens of neurons, yet another class of cells – astrocytes – quietly shapes the very circuits that underlie thought, memory, and disease. Despite comprising up to 40% of brain cells and being recognized since the earliest anatomical studies, astrocytes remained understudied for decades due to the technical challenges of probing their function. This gap is now closing. Advances in optical and genetic tools have opened a new frontier in neuroscience, revealing astrocytes as dynamic regulators of neural activity rather than passive support cells. The Khakh Laboratory has spent nearly 20 years developing methods to understand how astrocytes influence neuronal circuits and behavior. Now relocating from UCLA to the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) at Cardiff, the lab is launching an ambitious new research programme focused on uncovering how astrocytes contribute to brain function and, critically, to the development and progression of dementia. This move represents more than a change in geography – it marks the beginning of a new phase of discovery within one of the UK’s most vibrant and collaborative neuroscience environments. The lab’s long-standing record of innovation, continuous competitive funding, and high-quality publications provides a strong foundation for tackling pressing questions in neurodegeneration. A PhD student joining this programme will enter a deeply immersive and supportive training environment. The lab will combine molecular genetics, advanced imaging, electrophysiology, and translational neuroscience to interrogate astrocyte biology across multiple systems, from in vivo mouse models to human stem cell-derived astrocytes. This integrative approach allows trainees to develop a broad and versatile technical skillset while addressing mechanistic questions at the cutting edge of the field. The PhD project will explore how astrocytes shape neural circuit dynamics and drive pathological processes in dementia, with the goal of identifying new therapeutic strategies. Training in the Khakh Laboratory extends beyond experimental work. Students are mentored in data analysis, scientific writing, and presentation, preparing them for leadership roles in academia and beyond. The lab’s track record has been solid: all trainees who pursued academic careers have successfully secured faculty positions. This success reflects not only rigorous scientific training but also a culture that values curiosity, independence, and collaboration. The group itself is internationally diverse, bringing together talented scientists with varied perspectives united by a shared commitment to discovery. Importantly, the lab maintains a hands-on ethos. With active experimental engagement from Khakh and a collaborative atmosphere, students benefit from close mentorship and direct involvement in shaping their research projects. This creates an environment where ideas move quickly from concept to experiment, fostering both creativity and scientific rigor. For a prospective PhD student, this is an opportunity to join a leading lab at a pivotal moment – both in its relocation and in the broader changes within neuroscience. By contributing to a deeper understanding of astrocytes, students will help understand brain function and open new avenues for treating dementia and related disorders. Funding Notes This is a fully funded PhD project. Please contact Baljit Khakh with initial inquiries and kindly include a full CV with the names of two referees. References BS Khakh (2025) On astrocyte-neuron interactions: broad insights from the striatum. Neuron, 113, 3079-107. L. Wu, V. Pandey, VH. Casha, Z. Qu, Y. Jami-Alahmadi, V. Gradinaru, JA. Wohlschlegel & BS Khakh (2025) The cell-surface shared proteome of astrocytes and neurons and the molecular foundations of their multicellular interactions. Neuron 113: 2599-2620. M. Ollivier, JS. Soto, KE. Linker, SL. Moye, Y. Jami-Alahmadi, AE. Jones, AS. Divakaruni, K. Kawaguchi, JA. Wohlschlegel & BS Khakh (2024) Crym-positive striatal astrocytes gate perseverative behavior. Nature (Article), 627: 358-366. JS. Soto, Y. Jami-Alahmadi, J. Chacon, SL. Moye, B. Diaz-Castro, JA. Wohlschlegel & BS. Khakh (2023) Astrocyte and neuron subproteomes and obsessive-compulsive disorder mechanisms. Nature, 616: 764-773. Apply Now

Details Acquired drug resistance is a considerable problem for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), of which oxaliplatin is a key component, with little improvement in the ~65% 5-year survival rate over the past 25 years. Modulation of resistance pathway component expression can maintain tumour drug sensitivity during multiple cycles of treatment, minimising chances of the tumour becoming resistant, and one would ideally want to administer the modulator specifically to the tumour at the same time as the drug. In preliminary cell-based studies we have identified compounds that can reduce resistance to oxaliplatin. We have previously demonstrated that a matrix-metalloproteinase 1 (MT1-MMP) activated peptide-based prodrug can differentially release a drug payload in a CRC xenograft model, and this prodrug platform has flexibility to be applied to other payloads. Aim To develop a bifunctional MT1-MMP-activated peptide prodrug which will minimise acquisition of resistance and improve efficacy of oxaliplatin in CRC patients. Focus Design and development of a prodrug incorporating oxaliplatin and a modulator of the resistance-causing survivin, LQZ-7I, with optimisation of formulation for intravenous administration. Following confirmation of differential tumour release in ex vivo studies, in vitro and in vivo proof-of-concept in CRC resistance models will be evaluated. Who should apply Applicants with a passion for medicinal and/or synthetic chemistry, and cancer drug discovery. Candidates should have, or expect to obtain, a first or good upper second-class degree (or non-UK equivalent) in a chemistry-based subject or an appropriate Master’s degree qualification. We are looking for applicants with evidence of laboratory experience in organic or medicinal chemistry (e.g. a significant research project), with some experience of drug analysis and/or cell-free or in vitro screening assays. How to apply Formal applications can be submitted via the University of Bradford web site; applicants will need to register an account, select ‘Postgraduate Research’ as the course and then use the keywords ‘cancer therapeutics’. Applicants should then specify the project title in the ‘Research Proposal’ section. Enquiries For informal enquiries, please contact s.d.shnyder@bradford.ac.uk. For further information about the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics Doctoral Training Centre, please contact r.a.falconer1@bradford.ac.uk, or take a look at our website. About the University of Bradford Bradford is a research-active University supporting the highest-quality research. We excel in applying our research to benefit our stakeholders by working with employers and organisations world-wide across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors and actively encourage and support our postgraduate researchers to engage in research and business development activities. Positive Action Statement At the University of Bradford our vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity, where people want to, and can, make a difference. We place equality and diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to social mobility at the centre of our mission and ethos. In working to make a difference we are committed to addressing systemic inequality and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students. Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action can be taken where protected group members are under-represented. At Bradford, our data show that people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups who are UK nationals are significantly under-represented at the postgraduate researcher level. These are lawful measures designed to address systemic and structural issues which result in the under-representation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in PGR studies. Funding Notes This is a self-funded PhD project; applicants will be expected to pay their own fees or have a suitable source of third-party funding. A bench fee of £10,000 per year may also apply to this project, in addition to the tuition fees. UK students may be able to apply for a Doctoral Loan from Student Finance for financial support. References Atkinson, J.M et al. Cancer Research, 2010, 70, 6902-6912 (10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-10-1440); Gill, J.H et al. Molecular Pharmaceutics, 2014, 11, 1294−1300 ( DOI: 10.1021/mp400760b ) Apply Now

Details Polysialic acid plays an essential role in neuronal development, but by adulthood is absent from the human body. Its biosynthesis is regulated by two polysialyltransferases (polySTs). Polysialic acid is aberrantly re-expressed on the surface of many tumours, where it plays a key role in diseases progression and metastasis. It is therefore an attractive anti-cancer target (see Current Cancer Drug Targets, 2012, 12, 925-939). The Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, at the University of Bradford, is focused on the development of novel polyST inhibitors, using computational chemistry to aid compound design. We have developed assays to assess compound inhibition (see Analyst, 2016, 141, 5849-5856) and have utilized tool compounds to show the potential of the approach (see PLoS ONE, 2013, 8, e73366). The wider project benefits from funding from programme funding from Yorkshire Cancer Research and more recently from the Wellcome Trust. The student will join a successful, motivated multidisciplinary team with expertise in medicinal chemistry, pharmacology and drug analysis. The group has a series of hit polyST inhibitors with potential for further development. The project will focus on the synthesis of the next generation of inhibitors, utilising computational chemistry to aid compound design. Training in compound synthesis, purification (including preparative HPLC) and analysis (LC-MS, NMR) will be provided. Synthesised compounds will be evaluated in cell-free HPLC-based enzyme inhibition assay, with the most promising compounds then screened in cell-based assays, all in-house. How to apply Formal applications can be submitted via the University of Bradford web site. Applicants should register an account, select ‘Postgraduate Research’ as the course type and use the keywords ‘cancer therapeutics’. Please include the project title on the Research Proposal section; applicants are not required to supply a research proposal for this project. Informal enquiries are also welcome. About the University of Bradford Bradford is a research-active University supporting the highest-quality research. We excel in applying our research to benefit our stakeholders by working with employers and organisations world-wide across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors and actively encourage and support our postgraduate researchers to engage in research and business development activities. Positive Action Statement At the University of Bradford our vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity, where people want to, and can, make a difference. We place equality and diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to social mobility at the centre of our mission and ethos. In working to make a difference we are committed to addressing systemic inequality and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students. Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action can be taken where protected group members are under-represented. At Bradford, our data show that people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups who are UK nationals are significantly under-represented at the postgraduate researcher level. These are lawful measures designed to address systemic and structural issues which result in the under-representation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in PGR studies. Funding Notes This is a self-funded PhD project; applicants will be expected to pay their own fees or have a suitable source of third-party funding. A bench fee of £10,000 also applies to this project, in addition to the tuition fees. UK students may be able to apply for a Doctoral Loan from Student Finance for financial support. Apply Now

Details Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of endoproteases that are overexpressed in tumours and play crucial roles in many tumourigenic processes, not least tumour invasion and angiogenesis. The concept behind our technology is that the increased expression and activity of MMPs within the tumour microenvironment, relative to normal tissues, can be exploited to selectively release potent chemotherapeutics from non-toxic peptide conjugates. The result is high levels of the active agent in the tumour and negligible drug levels in ’normal’ tissues. Conjugation of a peptide to the active drug molecule renders it inactive until such time that it is activated by MMPs in the tumour. The MMP then cleaves the peptide, resulting in release of the active drug selectively in the tumour microenvironment. The ICT has already successfully used this technology to improve the therapeutic index of a colchicine derivative (ICT2588), which is now licensed to University of Bradford spin-out company Incanthera plc and received global press coverage at the British Science Festival 2011. ICT2588 is about to enter Phase I clinical trials. The group additionally has strong links with Stanford University (USA), having commercialised an MMP-activated ‘theranostic’ version of ICT2588, which simultaneously allows MRI imaging and cancer therapy. The student will join a successful, motivated multidisciplinary team with expertise in medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics. The project will involve the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of the next generation of MMP-activated prodrugs, with the aim of identifying an agent to progress towards advanced preclinical testing and ultimately the clinic. Specific aims: Synthesis of novel peptide-drug conjugates, utilizing modern automated solid-phase peptide technology and/or Study of the metabolism of synthesized conjugates in tumour and normal tissues in vitro, using LC-MS; In vivo assessment of the most promising compound – pharmacokinetics and efficacy in a mouse model. How to apply Formal applications can be submitted via the University of Bradford web site. Applicants should register an account, select ‘Postgraduate Research’ as the course type and use the keywords ‘cancer therapeutics’. Please include the project title on the Research Proposal section; applicants are not required to supply a research proposal for this project. Informal enquiries are also welcome. About the University of Bradford Bradford is a research-active University supporting the highest-quality research. We excel in applying our research to benefit our stakeholders by working with employers and organisations world-wide across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors and actively encourage and support our postgraduate researchers to engage in research and business development activities. Positive Action Statement At the University of Bradford our vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity, where people want to, and can, make a difference. We place equality and diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to social mobility at the centre of our mission and ethos. In working to make a difference we are committed to addressing systemic inequality and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students. Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action can be taken where protected group members are under-represented. At Bradford, our data show that people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups who are UK nationals are significantly under-represented at the postgraduate researcher level. These are lawful measures designed to address systemic and structural issues which result in the under-representation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in PGR studies. Funding Notes This is a self-funded project; applicants will be expected to pay their own fees or have access to suitable third-party funding. In addition to the university’s standard tuition fees, bench fees of £10,000 per year also apply to this project. References Small, 2014, 10, 566-575 Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 2017, 16, 1909-1921 Cancer Research, 2010, 70, 6902-6912 At least 2:1 honours degree in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacy or related subjects. An MSc in any of these areas is an advantage. For full details of our entry requirements, please visit our website. Apply Now

Details Polysialic acid plays an essential role in neuronal development, but by adulthood is absent from the human body. Its biosynthesis is regulated by two polysialyltransferases. Polysialic acid is aberrantly re-expressed on the surface of many tumours, where it plays a key role in diseases progression and metastasis. It is therefore an attractive anti-cancer target [1]. The Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, at the University of Bradford, is focused on the development of novel polysialyltransferase inhibitors, using computational chemistry to aid compound design. We have developed assays to assess compound inhibition [2] and have utilized tool compounds to show the potential of the approach [3]. We additionally have explored the role of polySia expression in hypoxia, a characteristic common to solid tumours [4,5]. The wider project benefits from funding from programme funding from Yorkshire Cancer Research and more recently from the Wellcome Trust. The student will join a successful, motivated multidisciplinary team with expertise in medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, immunohistochemistry and drug analysis. This project will focus on the biological evaluation of potential polysialyltransferase inhibitors, utilising in vitro assays to assess compound inhibition, and techniques to assess effects of compounds on cell adhesion, migration, and invasion. How to apply Formal applications can be submitted via the University of Bradford web site. Applicants should register an account, select ‘Postgraduate Research’ as the course type and use the keywords ‘cancer therapeutics’. Please include the project title on the Research Proposal section; applicants are not required to supply a research proposal for this project. Informal enquiries are also welcome. About the University of Bradford Bradford is a research-active University supporting the highest-quality research. We excel in applying our research to benefit our stakeholders by working with employers and organisations world-wide across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors and actively encourage and support our postgraduate researchers to engage in research and business development activities. Positive Action Statement At the University of Bradford our vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity, where people want to, and can, make a difference. We place equality and diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to social mobility at the centre of our mission and ethos. In working to make a difference we are committed to addressing systemic inequality and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students. Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action can be taken where protected group members are under-represented. At Bradford, our data show that people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups who are UK nationals are significantly under-represented at the postgraduate researcher level. These are lawful measures designed to address systemic and structural issues which result in the under-representation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in PGR studies. Funding Notes This is a self-funded project; applicants will be expected to pay their own fees or have access to suitable third-party funding. In addition to the university’s standard tuition fees, bench fees of £10,000 per year also apply to this project. References 1. Current Cancer Drug Targets, 2012, 12, 925-939 2. Analyst, 2016, 141, 5849-5856 3. PLoS ONE, 2013, 8, e73366 4. Scientific Reports, 2016, 6, 33026 5. ChemBioChem, 2017, 18, 1332-1337 At least 2:1 honours degree in a pharmacy, biochemistry or pharmacology-related subject. An MSc in any of these areas is an advantage. For full details of our entry requirements, please visit our website. Apply Now

Details Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) catalyse the oxidation and detoxification of reactive endogenous and exogenous aldehydes into carboxylic acids via NAD+ coupled reduction. ALDH1 has been widely studied and is considered a marker of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and has been shown to be predictive of poor clinical outcome. Increased expression of cytosolic ALDH has been implicated as a mechanism whereby tumour cells may escape the lethality of cytotoxic anticancer alkylating agents, such as cyclophosphamide and related congeners. An improved understanding of the role ALDHs play within the tumour microenvironment and stem cell niche is crucial for unravelling their potential for biomarker and drug discovery strategies. We are looking for an enthusiastic student who is interested in establishing opportunities for how ALDH regulation or function can be exploited for drug discovery. In particular, the high ALDH expression that is a feature of many cancer types and CSC populations might contribute to enhanced DNA repair and this project seek to investigate how such knowledge can be harnessed in drug design. The student will be trained in 2D and 3D cell culture with a particular focus on ALDH-expressing sub-populations with stem cell properties, target interrogation (e.g. PCR, western blot, immunohistochemistry) including ALDH-chemical probe binding and effects on DNA damage response. The latter aspects will include the use of LCMS to study potential metabolic events caused as a consequence of functional ALDH activity. For students with a particular interest in chemical biology, there is also an opportunity to be trained in drug design. Entry requirements  Applicants should have at least 2:1 honours degree in Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Biology, Pharmacy or related degree. How to apply Formal applications can be submitted via the University of Bradford web site. Applicants should register an account, select ‘Postgraduate Research’ as the type of course and use the keywords ‘cancer therapeutics’. Please include the title of the project on the ‘Research Proposal’ section; applicants are not required to write their own research proposal for this project. Informal enquiries are also welcome. About the University of Bradford Bradford is a research-active University supporting the highest-quality research. We excel in applying our research to benefit our stakeholders by working with employers and organisations world-wide across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors and actively encourage and support our postgraduate researchers to engage in research and business development activities. Positive Action Statement At the University of Bradford our vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity, where people want to, and can, make a difference. We place equality and diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to social mobility at the centre of our mission and ethos. In working to make a difference we are committed to addressing systemic inequality and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students. Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action can be taken where protected group members are under-represented. At Bradford, our data show that people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups who are UK nationals are significantly under-represented at the postgraduate researcher level. These are lawful measures designed to address systemic and structural issues which result in the under-representation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in PGR studies. Funding Notes This is a self-funded PhD project; applicants will be expected to pay their own fees or have a suitable source of third-party funding. A bench fee may also apply to this project, in addition to the tuition fees. UK students may be able to apply for a Doctoral Loan from Student Finance for financial support. Apply Now

Details Diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) is a modern chemical methodology, which aims to synthesise small molecules that cover new chemical space with the possibility of finding unexplored biological targets or pathways that may be important for disease progression. The development of novel chemical entities (NCEs) is very important to the field of chemical genetics where chemical probes are used to probe known or unknown biological targets. This project will use DOS to enable the preparation of libraries of NCEs comprising heterocyclic pharmacophores, which will be used to probe the functional activity of enzyme targets. DOS will also be used to discover novel tool compounds including fluorescent molecules to probe regulation and functional activity of (i) aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isoforms highly expressed in cancer stem cells, (ii) cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms expressed in solid tumours or (iii) aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) in prostate cancer. Conventional approaches such as computational modelling and medicinal chemistry will be employed in parallel to the use of DOS in order to develop chemical probes for enzyme interrogation. We are looking for an enthusiastic student to develop effective chemical tool compounds that can be used for target interrogation in cell-free and cell-based assays. The student will be trained in the design of novel bioactive molecules including synthetic and computational studies as well as target interrogation in functional activity assays. Biological studies will include investigations comparing naked lead compounds with co-crystal versions to acquire knowledge essential for turning good chemical probes into potential drug candidates. Entry requirements Applicants should have at least 2:1 honours degree in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Pharmacy or related degree. How to apply Formal applications can be submitted via the University of Bradford web site. Applicants should register an account, select ‘Postgraduate Research’ as the type of course and ‘cancer therapeutics’ as the keyword. Please mention the project title in the Research Proposal section; applicants are not required to submit a research proposal for this project. Informal enquiries are also welcome. About the University of Bradford Bradford is a research-active University supporting the highest-quality research. We excel in applying our research to benefit our stakeholders by working with employers and organisations world-wide across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors and actively encourage and support our postgraduate researchers to engage in research and business development activities. Positive Action Statement At the University of Bradford our vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity, where people want to, and can, make a difference. We place equality and diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to social mobility at the centre of our mission and ethos. In working to make a difference we are committed to addressing systemic inequality and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students. Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action can be taken where protected group members are under-represented. At Bradford, our data show that people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups who are UK nationals are significantly under-represented at the postgraduate researcher level. These are lawful measures designed to address systemic and structural issues which result in the under-representation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in PGR studies. Funding Notes This is a self-funded PhD project; applicants will be expected to pay their own fees or have a suitable source of third-party funding. A bench fee may also apply to this project, in addition to the tuition fees. UK students may be able to apply for a Doctoral Loan from Student Finance for financial support. Apply Now

Details A major challenge in cancer therapy is to develop therapeutic agents that selectively target tumour cells but are not harmful to normal tissue. A promising way to increase selectivity of cytotoxic molecules (payloads) is to tether these to antibodies that preferentially bind to antigens expressed on the surface of membranes of cancer cells. This new type of therapeutics termed antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are being pursued for various oncology indications. Although 12 ADCs have been approved for clinical use, there is still much to learn about their stability, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic (DMPK) properties. Depending on the type of ADC used, various aspects of the ADCs are implicated and contributing to dose limiting toxicities. The primary ADC toxicity is likely linked to premature release of the payloads and/or the lack of understanding of how ADC uptake for delivery of cytotoxic payload occurs in non-targeted normal tissue. To overcome some of these drawbacks, this project is focused on the modulation of payload toxicity via synthetic pharmacophore manipulation and evaluation of the DMPK properties of ADCs. We are looking for an enthusiastic student interested in exploring how to develop ADCs with improved clinical efficacy. You will be trained in payload and linker design, cell culture techniques with focus on cell uptake and target engagement and in DMPK techniques using a variety of different cell-free based assays and 2D and 3D cancer models. Entry requirements Applicants should have at least 2:1 honours degree in Bioengineering, Chemical Biology, Pharmacy or a related degree. How to apply Formal applications should be submitted via the University of Bradford web site. Applicants should register an account, and search for ‘cancer therapeutics’ as the course with ‘Postgraduate Research’ as the course type, then complete the form and include the project title on the Research Proposal section. Applicants are not required to write their own research proposal for this project. Informal enquiries are also welcome. About the University of Bradford Bradford is a research-active University supporting the highest-quality research. We excel in applying our research to benefit our stakeholders by working with employers and organisations world-wide across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors and actively encourage and support our postgraduate researchers to engage in research and business development activities. Positive Action Statement At the University of Bradford our vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity, where people want to, and can, make a difference. We place equality and diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to social mobility at the centre of our mission and ethos. In working to make a difference we are committed to addressing systemic inequality and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students. Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action can be taken where protected group members are under-represented. At Bradford, our data show that people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups who are UK nationals are significantly under-represented at the postgraduate researcher level. These are lawful measures designed to address systemic and structural issues which result in the under-representation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in PGR studies. Funding Notes This is a self-funded PhD project; applicants will be expected to pay their own fees or have a suitable source of third-party funding. A bench fee may also apply to this project, in addition to the tuition fees. UK students may be able to apply for a Doctoral Loan from Student Finance for financial support. Apply Now

Details Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 3rd most common cancer worldwide. Surgery is first line treatment and often in adjunct with chemotherapy. However, up to 20% of patients develop recurrent disease after treatment. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is an emerging anti-cancer treatment method, which can substantially improve the outcomes of treatment in CRC. PDT involves the administration of a photosensitising agent to cancers, followed by the irradiation of light to the cancer growth. This results in the activation of the photosensitising agent, eliciting cell death through the generation of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. This project will involve the investigation of PDT in CRC using different in vitro models of CRC. Recently, it has been identified that 2D cell cultures are not adequate and efficient in providing reliable and clinically representative outcomes of treatment. This is due to the limited capacity and application of 2D cell cultures and their lack of representation of clinical cancers. 3D spheroidal cell cultures and more recently, patient-derived organoids have been identified as vastly more improved and better models of CRC to pre-clinically evaluate treatments. In this project, PDT will be evaluated in simple 2D monolayer and more advanced 3D spheroidal cell monocultures and co-cultures of CRC. In our laboratory, we culture patient-derived organoids, directly from CRC patients in Leeds and will be used in this PhD project to study PDT treatments. The candidate will liaise with the colorectal surgery team at St James Hospital to collect and process CRC tissue specimens from theatre into organoids. Organoids will be subjected to PDT and other cancer treatments and interrogated on a molecular level to identify novel markers of chemoresistance. Methods: Cell line and tissue culturing, patient-derived organoid culturing, cell viability assays, fluorescent microscopy, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, western blotting, RT-PCR, single cell analyses, statistical analyses How to apply Formal applications can be submitted via the University of Bradford web site; applicants will need to register an account and select ‘Full-time PhD in Biomedical Science’ as the course, and then specify the project title when prompted. About the University of Bradford Bradford is a research-active University supporting the highest-quality research. We excel in applying our research to benefit our stakeholders by working with employers and organisations world-wide across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors and actively encourage and support our postgraduate researchers to engage in research and business development activities. Positive Action Statement At the University of Bradford our vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity, where people want to, and can, make a difference. We place equality and diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to social mobility at the centre of our mission and ethos. In working to make a difference we are committed to addressing systemic inequality and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students. Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action can be taken where protected group members are under-represented. At Bradford, our data show that people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups who are UK nationals are significantly under-represented at the postgraduate researcher level. These are lawful measures designed to address systemic and structural issues which result in the under-representation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in PGR studies. Funding Notes This is a self-funded PhD project; applicants will be expected to pay their own fees or have a suitable source of third-party funding. A bench fee may apply in addition to tuition fees. UK students may be able to apply for a Doctoral Loan from Student Finance for financial support. References Kim, W.S., Khot, M.I., Woo, H.M., Hong, S., Baek, D.H., Maisey, T., Daniels, B., Coletta, P.L., Yoon, B.J., Jayne, D.G. and Park, S.I., 2022. AI-enabled, implantable, multichannel wireless telemetry for photodynamic therapy. Nature communications, 13(1), pp.1-11. Khot, M.I., Perry, S.L., Maisey, T., Armstrong, G., Andrew, H., Hughes, T.A., Kapur, N. and Jayne, D.G., 2018. Inhibiting ABCG2 could potentially enhance the efficacy of hypericin-mediated photodynamic therapy in spheroidal cell models of colorectal cancer. Photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapy, 23, pp.221-229. Kondo, J., Endo, H., Okuyama, H., Ishikawa, O., Iishi, H., Tsujii, M., Ohue, M. and Inoue, M., 2011. Retaining cell–cell contact enables preparation and culture of spheroids composed of pure primary cancer cells from colorectal cancer. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(15), pp.6235-6240. Apply Now