PhD Study : Application of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology for development of novel in-vitro disease models, diagnostics and therapeutics for bowel cancer.

Summary

Introduction: Colo-rectal cancer (CRC) is a multifactorial disease with no therapeutic cure. Recent statistics suggest that 41,300 new cases of bowel cancer were registered in the UK in 2014, that’s 110 cases diagnosed every day. Bowel cancer is the third most common in the UK in both males and females and accounts for 12% of all new cases. Incidence rates for bowel cancer in the UK are highest in people aged 85-89. Over the last decade, bowel cancer incidence rates have increased by a twentieth (5%) in the UK.

The increase is larger in females where rates have increased by 6%, than in males where rates have increased by 3%. Bowel cancer in England is more common in males living in the most deprived areas and has been found to be more common in white people that in Asian or Black people. Worldwide, an estimated 1.36 million new cases of bowel cancer were diagnosed in 2012. A study published by Paul Trueman, 2007 indicates that the total cost of bowel cancer to the National Health Service in England is approximately £1.1bn a year. This figure takes into account the cost of diagnosis, treatment and palliative care. The mean annual cost of treating a patient with rectal cancer is estimated to be approximately £12,000, while the mean annual cost of treating a patient with colon cancer is approximately £8,800. Annual NHS costs for cancer services are £5 billion, but the cost to society as a whole – including costs for loss of productivity – is £18.3 billion. Late stage diagnosis is one of the major reasons of higher cost to NHS more than 6 in 10 (62%) bowel cancer patients receive a major surgical resection as part of their cancer treatment, since the current treatment options are limited to chemotherapy, radiation therapy and radiofrequency ablation.

One of the major reason for late diagnosis and limited therapeutic options is that bowel cancer research is heavily reliant on in-vivo animal models. Notwithstanding the ethical and moral issues, genetically and chemically induced animal models of colon cancers may show false/limited effects on cancer development and progression. Hence there is an urgent need to develop novel human tissue/cell based models to understand the pathophysiology of bowel cancer development.

Key Objectives:

Recent research indicates that effective colon targeting can not only increase therapeutic efficacy but also reduce potential systemic side effects. Hence, this research proposal aims to use 3D printing and nanotechnology to develop a drug delivery system, which can effectively release HIF/NF-kappB modulating agents loaded in the colon. These nano-particulate formulations will be evaluated in 3D bio-printed human cell based in vitro models of colon cancer with an objective to understand the dynamics of the HIF/NF-kappaB pathways to develop new diagnostics and therapeutics for bowel cancer.

Successful completion of this project could lead to the development of effective colon targeted drug delivery system and a new in-vitro tool for bowel cancer research using 3D printing technology.

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

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
• Masters at 65%
• Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• 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
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

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