Supervisors: Professor Greg Hannon, Dr Richard Mair and Dr Dario Bressan, This project will be hosted in the Spatial Profiling and Annotation Centre of Excellence (SPACE), an interdisciplinary laboratory dedicated to developing and applying spatial molecular profiling technologies established by the group of Prof. Hannon after a successful Cancer Grand Challenge project. The laboratory routinely uses a variety of spatial omics technologies including spatial transcriptomics, multiplexed immunohistochemistry, single-cell genomics, 3D whole-organ microscopy and more, and actively develops new technologies for spatial epigenomics and multi-omics. The Mair laboratory is focussed on understanding low to high grade transformation in glioma, specifically concentrating on how metabolic changes (via mass spectrometry imaging) can affect cancer cell and microenvironmental phenotypes at the level of the proteome and the modified proteome e.g. phosphoproteome. The extensive ICARUS brain cancer biobank posseses uniquely annotated multi region primary human tumour samples that will provide the basis for this study. The student selected for this project will use some of these technologies (Serial Two-Photon Microscopy or STPT, Imaging Mass Cytometry, spatial transcriptomics, Mass Spectrometry Imaging) on Low and High-grade glioma samples in order to assess the molecular determinants of the low-to-high grade transition and to identify potential prognostic and diagnostic markers, as well as therapy targets, for this disease.,
* Georgopoulou, D. et al. Landscapes of cellular phenotypic diversity in breast cancer xenografts and their impact on drug response. Nature Communications 12, 1998 (2021).
* The dawn of spatial omics ' Science.
* González-Solares, E. A. et al. Imaging and Molecular Annotation of Xenographs and Tumours (IMAXT): High throughput data and analysis infrastructure. Biological Imaging 3, e11 (2023).
* Low, J. C. M. et al. Deuterium Metabolic Imaging Differentiates Glioblastoma Metabolic Subtypes and Detects Early Response to Chemoradiotherapy. Cancer Res 84, 1996¿2008 (2024).
* Mair, R. et al. Metabolic Imaging Detects Low Levels of Glycolytic Activity That Vary with Levels of c-Myc Expression in Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Glioblastoma. Cancer Res 78, 5408¿5418 (2018).
We are looking for a student with a bright and curious mind, the willingness to work hard in a highly collaborative environment, and excellent communications skills, paired with a keen interest in cancer biology and in the application of new technologies.
Previous experience and theoretical knowledge of cancer biology, biochemistry, cell biology and imaging/microscopy will be appreciated, but are not an absolute requirement., Applications are invited from recent graduates or final-year undergraduates who hold or expect to gain a First/Upper Second Class degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject from any recognised university worldwide. Applicants with relevant research experience, gained through Master's study or while working in a laboratory, are strongly encouraged to apply.
This is a unique opportunity for PhD study in the world-leading Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute (CRUK CI), to start a research career in an environment committed to training outstanding cancer research scientists of the future. The Institute's particular strengths are in genomics, computational biology and imaging; and significant research effort is currently devoted to cancers arising in the breast, pancreas, brain, and colon. Our Core Facilities provide researchers with access to state-of-the-art equipment, in-house expertise and training. Scientists at CRUK CI aim to understand the fundamental biology of cancer and translate these findings into the clinic to benefit patients. There are around 100 postgraduate students at the Cambridge Institute, who play a vital and pivotal role in its continuing success. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive working environment that fosters intellectual curiosity and scientific excellence.
This four-year studentship is funded by Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and includes full funding for University fees and, in addition, a stipend currently of £21,000 per annum for four years.