Investigating new hypoxia biomarkers and therapeutic targets for prostate cancer

Closing date: 15/11/2024

Non-Clinical Studentship Project: Investigating new hypoxia biomarkers and therapeutic targets for prostate cancer

Lead Supervisors: Dr Isabel Monteiro dos Santos Pires
Co-Supervisors:
Prof. Ananya Choudhury, Prof. Robert Bristow, Dr Antony Adamson

Applications Deadline: Friday 15th November 2024
Interviews: Friday 17th January 2025
Non-Clinical Studentship start date: September 2025

Project Keywords: Prostate cancer, Hypoxia, Radiotherapy 
Research Opportunity: Non-Clinical Studentship leading to the award of PhD

Project Outline

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer diagnosed in men, with 5-year survival rates of 60% in those with advanced disease, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men. Most prostate cancer-related deaths are linked with disease spread, or metastasis. Therefore, identifying and characterising potential new targets and/or biomarkers of disease progression and aggressiveness is an area of continuing research and clinical interest. As many other tumours, PCa is characterised by the presence of regions of low oxygen (hypoxia), a key driver of therapy-resistance and increased metastatic potential. We have previously identified WSB-1 as a hypoxia-inducible factor in breast cancer, associated with increased breast cancer metastatic potential (Poujade et al 2018). However, little is known about the role of WSB-1 in PCa biology. Therefore, we propose to understand the role of WSB-1 in PCa by investigating: 

  • If WSB-1 can identify PCa patients most likely to respond to specific cancer treatments to reduce unnecessary treatment associated side effects. 
  • How WSB-1 contributes to PCa biology, especially in the context of hypoxia. 
  • If targeting WSB-1 biology can be exploited as a novel therapeutic approach for PCa. 

For this project, the student will analyse patient datasets to determine the prognostic value of WSB-1. The student will generate WSB-1 CRISPR PCa in vitro models and use these in multi-omics approaches to determine the impact of WSB-1 on PCa hypoxic biology and the mechanisms underpinning this. Finally, the student will evaluate the impact on PCa survival and response to radiotherapy of either directly targeting WSB-1 (using a recently published WSB-1 inhibitor) or target relevant downstream pathways using 2D and 3D models.  

This study investigating the role of WSB-1 in PCa will clarify novel aspects of hypoxia-associated aggressive PCa, which could ultimately improve patient outcomes. 

Applications for this project are now open. Please complete your application on The University of Manchester website.

About Dr Isabel Monteiro dos Santos Pires (project Lead Supervisor)

Dr. Isabel Pires’s research focusses on characterising biological pathways associated to hypoxia and their exploitation for therapeutic benefit, with a particular emphasis in improving response to radiotherapy. Isabel did her PhD at the University of Manchester with Professor Caroline Dive. She then moved to the University of Oxford for a postdoc in Professor Ester Hammond’s group. There Isabel became interested in how hypoxic biology leads to alterations in cellular behaviour. She then moved to the University of Hull as a lecturer/senior lecturer, where she continued her interest in hypoxic biology and radiobiology, before moving back to Manchester in 2023.

Find out more

Dr Isabel Monteiro dos Santos Pires headshot

Key information

Before submitting an application, please ensure you have read the information below about the funding arrangements and eligibility for Non-Clinical Studentships.

We also encourage you to get in contact with the lead supervisor to discuss the project and any particulars.

Further information is available on the Non-Clinical PhD Studentships webpage.

Fees and Funding
Eligibility
Applications Timelines

Useful Links

Submit your application

Interested in applying for this opportunity? Go to The University of Manchester website to submit your application.

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