PhD Research Project: Development of viral therapy for myeloma: building on viral research that off

Myeloma is a blood cancer of the plasma cells that are found in your bone marrow. There is currently no cure for the disease and the average life expectancy is just five years. Nearly 5,000 people are diagnosed with Myeloma in the UK each year.

Myeloma is a killer disease that damages the skeleton, causing horrific pain and loss of mobility and the ability to work or even enjoy life. Current treatments are toxic and only partially effective. Treatment for myeloma is aimed at controlling the disease and relieving the symptoms it causes. There is nocure and whilst standard therapies used in the clinic result in a sizable reduction in tumour burden, tumour invariably returns resulting in patient fatality.

This project seeks to build on viral research that offers a genuine opportunity to find a cure for myeloma, for people being treated in Sheffield and elsewhere. The initial research that forms the basis of this PhD has been undertaken to date by staff in the Haematology Department and has been extremely positive. A genetically engineered virus has been used to target and kill the cancerous myeloma cells without affecting healthy cells. After just two days of being introduced to the virus, myeloma cells were reduced by around 50% and 95% after four days.

This research project will advance this work developing viral therapy as a treatment to prevent myeloma relapse after standard chemotherapy. The student will undertake a number of research techniques including molecular biology, murine tumour models, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and western blotting.

Funding Notes

Funded by a generous donation from Sheffield Hospital Charity. Funding will cover fees and stipend for home/EU students only.

Entry Requirements:
Candidates must have a first or upper second class honors degree or significant research experience. Experience with: molecular biology, in vivo models, viral therapy, flow cytometry, tissue culture and a background in myeloma are desirable.

References

Enquiries:
Interested candidates should in the first instance contact (Dr. Andrew Chantry, 0114 2159003, a.d.chantry@sheffield.ac.uk)

Please complete a University Postgraduate Research Application form available here: www.shef.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply

Please clearly state the prospective main supervisor in the respective box and select 'Oncology & Metabolism' as the department.