PhD Study : Next generation analyses in B cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders: generation of multi-omics datasets in multiple myeloma to enhance understanding of the biology of the tumour cell.

Apply and key information  

Summary

Multiple Myeloma (MM), is an incurable haematological malignancy of end stage B lineage cells, or plasma cells. It has an incidence of approximately 65 new cases per million of the population per annum, with a male:female ratio of 1.3:1 and shows differences in incidence in different ethnic groups. Overall survivals have improved recently from a median of 3–4 years to 5–7 years, although upwards of 25% of patients survive for less than 24 months. Major obstacles to improved outcomes are the disease’s heterogeneity, drug resistance and the immunosuppressive nature of the tumour in its bone marrow microenvironment. Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS), from which most cases of MM are thought to evolve, has an incidence of 3-4% in the over 50 age group, with 1% of cases progressing to MM per annum. Smouldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM) constitutes approximately 14% of all cases of myeloma and carries a 10% risk per annum of progression to MM. Factors contributing to progression of these conditions are unclear.

There is an urgent need to improve understanding of their biology and identify biomarkers to enable prediction of disease progression, and responsiveness to specific treatments. This is a longitudinal study, with serial sampling of patients at different time points. Named collaborators include NHS clinicians caring for the patients. Significant preliminary findings include identification of tumour plasma cells in peripheral blood (PB) in approximately half the patients tested to date, including some with MGUS and some MM patients considered to be in complete remission (CR) using conventional criteria. Using multicolour flow cytometry, these cells are sorted and stored for future molecular analyses. Cellular, plasma and serum markers will be analysed on all patients, at each sampling time-point, to improve understanding of the clinical immunosupression that occurs and biological processes involved in disease progression, efficacy of, or resistance to, specific therapies, and identification of biomarkers which could be applied in clinical practice to enhance outcomes.

Most previous studies have used cell lines, or single patient samples only allowing a snapshot at one time-point. Serial sampling will facilitate analyses of tumour cells from presentation/diagnosis through to the almost inevitable relapse and development of drug resistance in terminal stages. This will contribute to improved understanding of proliferation, survival and drug resistance factors involved in disease progression in individual patients, the pathways involved, and may identify novel therapeutic targets for future drug development.

Specific investigations planned involve generation of large multi-omics datasets.Techniques will include next generation cellular, proteomic and molecular analyses available at NICSM, or outsourced to specialised laboratories in Europe and N America. Project will be mainly wet-lab based, with some bioinformatics components. Thus, we are seeking a student having a strong interest in cellular, proteomic and molecular investigations in oncology, in particular haemato-oncology. Knowledge of the innate and adaptive immune systems, and statistics/bioinformatics will be an added advantage.

For any informal enquiry and/or to discuss more about the project, please contact the supervisors: Dr Priyank Shukla (p.shukla@ulster.ac.uk), Professor Denis Alexander (d.alexander@ulster.ac.uk) and Professor Tony Bjourson (aj.bjourson@ulster.ac.uk).

Essential criteria

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.

  • Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
  • A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

  • First Class Honours (1st) Degree
  • Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
  • Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
  • Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
  • Work experience relevant to the proposed project
  • Publications - peer-reviewed
  • Experience of presentation of research findings

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

  • Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
  • Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
  • Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (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.

  • Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
  • Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
  • Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
  • Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 19 February 2018
12:00AM

Interview Date
6, 7 and 8 March 2018

Preferred student start date
Mid September 2018

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr Priyank Shukla

Other supervisors

  • Peter O'Gorman, Consultant Haematologist, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, RoI