Motivation: Conventional chemotherapy agents lack any form of tumour-targeting and are therefore associated with extreme off-target toxicity. Targeted anti-cancer treatments such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photo-activated chemotherapy (PACT) use light to activate otherwise non-toxic agents with the resulting cytotoxic effects largely localized to the site of light irradiation. While PDT and PACT are effective treatments that limit off-target toxicity, their clinical utility is restricted to superficial lesions due to the inability of light to penetrate deeply into tissue.
Underlying aim: The underlying aim ofthis project is to develop stimuli-responsive compounds that are capable of being activated deep within human tissue. These compounds will possess low toxicity in the absence of stimulus but convert to their cytotoxic form upon activation.
Specific objectives/Methodology:
(1) To synthesise and characterise the compounds using standard organic chemistry procedures.
(2) Determine the compounds photophysical properties.
(3) Formulate the compounds into appropriate drug delivery systems, evaluate efficacy against a panel of cancer cell lines and establish mechanism of action.
Impact: Establishing effective methods of targeted cancer treatment would provide better outcomes for patients.
Important Information: Applications for more than one PhD studentship are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Biomedical Sciences, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.
Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.
We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.
In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.
If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.
The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.
Appointment will be made on merit.
The University offers the following levels of support:
The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).
This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.
Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living
Deng et al., Chem. Sci., 2021, 12, 6536–6542 “An intramolecular photoswitch can significantly promote photoactivation of Pt(IV) prodrugs”
Submission deadline
Sunday 28 April 2024
04:00PM
Interview Date
13th - 17th May 2024
Preferred student start date
16th September 2024
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