A novel theragnostic approach for treating brain tumours
- Funding
- Self-funded
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Apply by
- Start date
- Year round
- Subject area
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
This multidisciplinary project will use cutting edge imaging technologies along with novel chemistry and a cell-based therapy to treat glioblastomas, the deadliest form of brain cancer in adults. These tumours have a dismal survival of less than 14 months. Despite aggressive treatment, tumours usually recur within 6-9 months, hence there is a dire need for developing novel ways of treating glioblastomas. Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia (MFH) is novel way for targeted tumour ablation (heating) as it specifically heats nanoparticles in the tumour without any adverse effects to the normal tissue.
This multidisciplinary project will use cutting edge imaging technologies along with novel chemistry and a cell-based therapy to treat glioblastomas, the deadliest form of brain cancer in adults. These tumours have a dismal survival of less than 14 months. Despite aggressive treatment, tumours usually recur within 6-9 months, hence there is a dire need for developing novel ways of treating glioblastomas. Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia (MFH) is novel way for targeted tumour ablation (heating) as it specifically heats nanoparticles in the tumour without any adverse effects to the normal tissue.
The overall aim of this project is to develop a novel treatment paradigm for glioblastomas using the following goals: 1) Development of xenograft models of glioblastomas and their characterization using longitudinal high-resolution MRI. 2) Developing targeted delivery of custom designed super-paramagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIONs) to the tumour using endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) labelled with SPIONs. 3) Assessment of preferential localization of SPIONs in the tumour using magnetic particle imaging (MPI) scanner. 4) Developing selective heating of the SPIONS in the tumour using MFH to ablate the tumor without impacting the normal tissue. 5) Monitoring MFH induced treatment response using advanced MRI methods.
Novelty: This project aims to develop a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of glioblastomas without any adverse effects to the surrounding normal tissue. It uses novel imaging technologies – magnetic particle imaging, and MFH for hyperthermia, which are the first of its kind in UK and Europe.
Training: The primary supervisor, Prof Harish Poptani (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/harish-poptani#tabbed-content) has expertise in quantitative imaging methods for assessing treatment response in glioblastomas. He will provide training in the development of preclinical models, multi-modal preclinical imaging techniques as well as optimization of MFH for treatment. The secondary supervisor, Dr Marco Giardiello (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/marco-giardiello) is a senior lecturer and a UKRI future leaders fellow His expertise is in synthetic chemistry focussing on development of novel custom built fit-for-purpose contrast agents for MRI and MPI. In collaboration with StreamBio (https://www.streambio.co.uk/) the industrial partners in this project, he will provide training in the synthesis of SPIONs towards optimal sensitivity for detection with MPI and treatment with MFH. The tertiary supervisor, Prof Patricia Murray (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/patricia-murray) is internationally known for her expertise in stem cell biology and will provide training in cell biology, cell labelling methods as well as immunohistochemical analyses.
This collaborative project brings together complementary expertise in neuro-oncology, neuroimaging, synthetic chemistry and stem cell biology. The collective backgrounds of the supervisors provide complementary expertise in tackling the complex interplay between, tumour microenvironment and novel medical technologies for diagnosis and treatment of tumours.
This project is open to UK and international applicants with their own funding. Funding should cover course fees, living expenses and research expenses (bench fees).
Please email your CV and cover letter to the primary supervisor along with the project title and reference number, Prof Harish Poptani, in the first instance harish.poptani@liverpool.ac.uk
Supervisors:
| Prof Harish Poptani | harish.poptani@liverpool.ac.uk | https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/harish-poptani |
| Dr Marco Giardiello | magia@liverpool.ac.uk | https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/marco-giardiello |
| Prof Patricia Murray | embryo@liverpool.ac.uk | https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/patricia-murray |
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Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £5,006
Full-time place, per year - £31,250
fees stated are for 2025/26 academic year
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