Development of a single-molecule blood test to detect ovarian cancer earlier

About the Project

This project is one of 21 four year PhD Studentships funded by Medical Research Scotland (MRS) (https://www.medicalresearchscotland.org.uk) to be delivered jointly by the named University and External Partner Organisation (EPO). The Studentship will provide first-class academic, and additional training provided by the EPO, needed to equip the successful candidate for a science career in an increasingly competitive market.

"Development of a single-molecule blood test to detect ovarian cancer earlier" to be delivered by the University of Edinburgh [Supervisors: Professor Mathew Horrocks (School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh) and Dr Michael Rimmer (Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh)] and Northern Light Microscopy Ltd. (https://www.northernlightmicroscopy.com/) [External Partner Organisation supervisor: Dr Peter Tinning].

Ovarian cancer affects over 7,500 women each year in the UK and is often diagnosed late because its symptoms are vague and non-specific. Around 30% of women die within a year of diagnosis, and most survivors experience recurrence. There is a clear and urgent need for minimally invasive ways to detect ovarian cancer earlier and to monitor disease over time.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanometre-sized, membrane bound particles released by almost all cells into the bloodstream. They carry proteins, lipids and nucleic acids that reflect the state of the cell they came from, and in cancer they promote metastasis, immune evasion and chemoresistance. Recent work shows that EVs derived from tumours carry tumour associated antigens (TAAs), markers of the patents primary tumour, which has released the EVs. The presence of TAAs on EVs and using them to identify EVs in blood, exploiting them for cancer diagnosis has been poorly explored however.

Our group has developed a powerful new assay, Vesicle Imaging by Single molecule TCCD Analysis (VISTA), which uses single molecule fluorescence and microfluidics to detect and characterise EVs at femtomolar concentrations directly from human serum or plasma, without complex purification. In this PhD, you will adapt and extend VISTA to: (1) image multiple EV surface markers simultaneously, including canonical tetraspanins (CD9, CD63, CD81) and TAAs; (2) quantify TAA positive EVs released from ovarian cancer cell lines versus control lines; and (3) apply this multi target platform to EVs isolated from plasma of women with high grade serous ovarian cancer and healthy controls.

You will be based in the Institute for Regeneration and Repair at the University of Edinburgh, working in the Horrocks lab, a leading single-molecule biophysics group with extensive expertise in super-resolution imaging and custom microscope development. You will receive training in single-molecule and super-resolution microscopy, EV isolation and characterisation, cell culture, fluorescence assay development and quantitative data analysis. As part of the industrial partnership, you will also undertake a placement with Northern Light Microscopy Ltd., working with their Advanced Modular Imaging System (AMIS) high throughput super-resolution platform and gaining insight into commercialisation, product development and routes to market.

This multidisciplinary project sits at the interface of chemistry, biophysics, cancer biology and clinical translational research. It will generate proof of concept data for an EV based ovarian cancer liquid biopsy and provide you with highly transferable skills for careers in academia, biotechnology or the medical diagnostics sector.

ENQUIRIES:

Enquiries should be sent by email to Professor Mathew Horrocks:

mathew.horrocks@ed.ac.uk

APPLICATIONS:

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a first class or upper second class (2:1) honours degree (or international equivalent) in Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biomedical Sciences or a closely related discipline. A relevant Master’s degree is desirable, but not essential. Experience in at least one of the following is advantageous: fluorescence microscopy, quantitative imaging, cell culture, or extracellular vesicle/nanoparticle work. Strong quantitative and analytical skills, enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research, and good written and oral communication are essential.

Applications must be submitted via email, with the subject line “MRS PhD Studentship Application – Ovarian Cancer EVs", to Professor Mathew Horrocks:

mathew.horrocks@ed.ac.uk

Your application should include a CV, the names and contact details (including email addresses) of at least two academic referees and a covering letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining your suitability for pursuing this PhD and what qualities you can bring to the Studentship.

Please note, your application may be shared with the funders of this PhD Studentship, Medical Research Scotland and Northern Light Microscopy Ltd.

Interviews are expected to take place about 3 weeks after the closing date for applications.

It is anticipated that the PhD Studentship will start 5 October 2026.

Funding Notes

PhD Studentship provides: an annual tax-free stipend of £21,416 increasing to £21,991 over the four years (stipend rates include £3,000pa top-up provided by Northern Light Microscopy); tuition fees; consumables; and generous travel allowance. Medical Research Scotland provides funding for student fees at the UK/Home rate. If an international student is the best candidate, the difference between the UK/Home and international fee rates will be covered by the University of Edinburgh.