About the project
This project will investigate the interplay between genetic status and the tumour microenvironment in lung cancer: examining how common oncogenic and tumour suppressor mutations disrupt homeostatic responses to signalling cues from stromal cells. This will identify novel strategies for targeting the tumour microenvironment to improve treatment efficacy.
A fully funded PhD studentship in cancer biology, leading to a PhD degree from the University of Southampton, is available in the Hanley lab. The project will develop new approaches for cancer therapy, focusing on lung cancer -the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
This work will investigate the role of tumour-stroma (including cancer associated fibroblasts and immune cells) interactions in regulating disease progression and response to various therapies, including oncogene-targeted therapies and immunotherapy for example:
- CJ Hanley et al.
- Nature Communications 2023
- K Ford et al.
- Cancer Research 2020
Active research themes in the lab include characterising cellular phenotypes in human tumours using single cell RNA-sequencing; functional analysis of tumour-stroma interactions using 3D organoid models; and identifying novel therapeutic strategies for treating aggressive lung adenocarcinomas.
We enjoy close links with University Hospital Southampton and have a strong translational focus with a track record for developing new therapies that have achieved clinical impact for example, NCT05323656, therefore providing the opportunity to make a significant contribution to cancer treatment. The candidate will enjoy a vibrant multidisciplinary environment, take advantage of our ongoing collaborations with multiple industry collaborators and be provided with significant opportunities for excellent career development.
This includes access to training across a broad range of techniques such as;
- cell culture
- molecular biology
- cell-based functional assays
- single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
- and the use of in vivo models
