Alleviating hypoxia for enhanced cancer therapy

Summary

Hypoxia in solid tumours presents a significant barrier to effective treatment [1]. This is particularly so for therapeutic strategies that depend on the generation of reactive oxygen species to elicit their cytotoxic effect, and these include mainstream approaches such as radiotherapy, certain forms of chemotherapy and less utilized approaches such as photodynamic therapy and sonodynamic therapy.

In the past strategies to overcome this barrier including administration of hyperbaric oxygen or agents to enhance oxygen diffusion have met with limited success [1].

StimOxyGen Ltd, a spinout from Ulster University has developed a nanoparticle formulation (SGEN-33) that can generate oxygen in solid tumours in situ.  This formulation has been shown to enhance photodynamic therapy [2], sonodynamic therapy [3] and more recently, radiotherapy.

In addition, employing this formulation with the latter two approaches leads to the generation of a powerful, immune-mediated effect that could potentially be exploited to treat metastatic cancer [3].

Whilst use of the above listed approaches provides enhanced therapeutic efficacy, we believe that a deeper understanding of the processes that underpin this enhancing effect at the cellular and molecular level will (1) maximize patient benefit, (2) inform more efficient clinical translation of this technology and (3) expedite commercial exploitation of this technology.

Specific objectives:

1. To generate a range of tumour tissue samples from in vivo models treated with SGEN-33 and chosen partner therapies (PDT, SDT and radiotherapy).
2. To establish a range of cell type identification and key signalling markers that can be used to identify cell type evolution/fate and signal process modifications post treatment.
3. To leverage the data from ‘2’ above to monitor the effects of modifying therapy parameters with a view towards therapy optimization.

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.

Basic laboratory skills, experience with tissue culture, RTqPCR and immunohistochemistry would be an advantage.

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
• 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 record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings

Equal Opportunities

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.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• StimOxyGen Ltd.
• Department for the Economy (DfE)

This scholarship will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £21,000* (tbc) plus an uplift of £1000 per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum is also available.

To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a UK National, or

• Have settled status, or

• Have pre-settled status, or

• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter, or

• be an Irish National

Applicants should also meet the residency criteria which requires that they have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the three years preceding the start date of the research degree programme.

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.

*Part time PhD scholarships may be available, based on 0.5 of the full time rate, and will require a six year registration period