Genetics of hereditary prostate cancer
Closing date: 09/06/2025
MB-PhD Summer Placement Project: Genetics of hereditary prostate cancer
Lead Supervisors: Professor Robert Bristow
Applications Deadline: Monday 9th June 2025
Project Keywords: spatial transcriptomics, DNA sequencing, primary cell models from patients, prostate cancer, experimental therapeutics
Research Opportunity: MB-PhD Summer Placement Project
MB-PhD Summer Placement Project Outline
Aggressive sporadic cancer phenotypes result from the imbalance of one or more dosage-sensitive genes in a particular chromosomal segment. An exemplar is the chromosomal gain of the right arm of 8q (Chr.8q) which harbours the c-Myc oncogene and co-amplification of up to 30-40 other genes. Other aggressor genes include loss of PTEN and TP53.
Prostate cancer can also be hereditary due to the inheritance of mutations in the DNA repair and damage (DDR) genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM or MSH2. These latter cancers can be treated with targeted agents such as PARP inhibitors or immunotherapy.
Our lab uses molecular pathology approaches (in situ FISH, chromosomal instability assays, genomics and spatial transcriptomics) to understand the intra-prostatic cell heterogeneity of sporadic and hereditary prostate cancer in specimens that come me directly from the clinics at the Christie NHS Trust. The validation of DNA and RNA endpoints will lever whole genome/RNA sequencing and outcome data within the Pan Prostate Cancer Group (international consortium with over 1500 PCa annotated genomes).
Our lab is driving the creation of new prostate cancer models using patient material to understand the basis of tumour aggression. These models are then used to re-create the aggressor genetics and track responses to therapy and tumour cell evolution.
The position is an “in-person” daily (Monday – Friday) placement.
Key activities
Over the course of a week, you will attend lab meeting and observe and take part in studies of IHC and spatial transcriptomes of the prostate tumours and patient-faithful cell lines in collaboration with the Bristow lab staff.
Supervisor style
As a clinician scientist, projects and mentees that reflect an interest in wanting to improve patient care are welcome approaches in my translational lab. Open/honest communication and clear expectations between mentor and mentee are central to a successful training experience. Work-life balance is very important as happiness and fulfilment in one reflects positively on the other.
MB-PhD Virtual Taster Session
Find out more about our MB-PhD programme, summer placement opportunities, and how to apply at our MB-PhD Virtual Taster Session.
About Prof. Robert Bristow (project Lead Supervisor)
Professor Robert Bristow MD PhD FRCPC is University Professor of Cancer Studies in the Division of Cancer Sciences (The University of Manchester) and Chief Academic Officer at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. Professor Robert Bristow joined the University of Manchester as Director of the Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC) in August 2017 with a remit to developing a new cancer strategy for Manchester with a cancer team science approach. The MCRC is a unique partnership between Cancer Research UK, The University of Manchester and the Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
He was previously a Clinician-Scientist and Professor within the Departments of Radiation Oncology and Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto and a Senior Scientist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.
His primary research interests are in tumour hypoxia, DNA damage signalling and DNA repair in tumours, and the genomics of prostate cancer progression and cancer treatment response. He is particularly interested in novel clinical trials that intensify cancer therapy to prostate cancer patients whose tumours harbour aggressive genetic changes and hypoxic sub-regions.
Key information
Find answers to some common questions about our MB-PhD Studentships.
To apply for our MB-Phd Summer Placement Project, you must be:
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A current MBChB student (year 1 or year 2 of the MBChB or year 1 of GEM) at one of the following universities:
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The University of Manchester
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The University of Leeds
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The University of St Andrews (Medicine Manchester Pathway)
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Interested in pursuing a clinical academic career combining medical training with research in Cancer Sciences.
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Available to undertake the summer placement during the specified dates set out in the project details.
If you meet these criteria, we encourage you to apply and explore what a clinical academic career in cancer research could offer you.
Summer research opportunities include lab visits and research placements.
Lab visits will usually be one day in length and might include, but are not limited to: shadowing a staff member/PhD student; attending lab group/journal club meetings; assisting with any applicable experiments.
The length and start date of research placements will be agreed between staff and students, but would usually be one week maximum.
We encourage students to apply for many different opportunities to gauge interest in different supervisory teams.
Travel and accommodation reimbursements can be provided to summer research opportunity students where appropriate, with agreement from Dr Yasmin Noori, Postgraduate Programme Manager. Please apply for relevant opportunities, and we can discuss this post-application.
Students who are interested in any of the below opportunities should send the following details to Dr Yasmin Noori yasamin.noorijenaghard@manchester.ac.uk by Monday, 9th June 2025:
- Your name
- Institution
- Current year of study
- Are you intending to apply to the MB-Phd programme in future? (Yes/No/Undecided)
- Supervisor preference(s) [use staff members’ names] – please also indicate preference for research placement and/or lab visit with the relevant staff member/s if appropriate
- Supporting statement: 200 words maximum on why you are interested in the opportunities you have selected
Preference is likely to be given to students who are eligible to apply to the MB-PhD in the 2025-26 recruitment round.
Key dates
- Application deadline: Monday, 9th June 2025
- Decisions relayed to students: w/c 16th June 2025
- Start date: By the end of September 2025
Useful Links
MB-PhD Studentships
Find out more about our MB-PhD Studentships which allow you to study a fully-funded PhD alongside your medical degree.
Get in Touch
Contact Yasmin Noori, Postgraduate Programme Manager.
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