Development of novel immunotherapeutics to treat p53 mutated acute myeloid leukaemia

About the Project

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is the most common acute leukaemia in adults, with around 3,100 new UK cases annually. Despite therapeutic advances, long-term survival remains poor especially in patients with TP53 mutations or deletions. Targeted immunotherapies, such as antibody–drug conjugates, bispecific T-cell engagers, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, have transformed the treatment of some leukaemias but similar treatment approaches are urgently needed for TP53 mutated AML patients. Translation to AML has lagged, largely due to the absence of suitable surface targets. Identifying new antigens is therefore essential, particularly in p53-mutant AML where conventional therapies fail.

The Department of Haematology at Cardiff University has a strong track record in AML clinical translation and will now lead a project coupling advanced proteomics and antibody engineering within an established discovery-to-translation pipeline to develop a novel p53-mutant AML immunotherapy. The Cancer Research Wales (CRW) funded project will support a talented PhD student who will

(1) undertake an unbiased survey of the cell surface proteome in primary p53-mutant AML to identify therapeutic targets. This will generate a comprehensive inventory of proteins differentially expressed on p53-mutant blasts.

(2) Objective 2 will prioritise the list of targets and validate expression using several techniques including western blot, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry or ELISA using independent AML and normal bone marrow samples.

(3) The last objectives will be the immunotherapeutic development to create CAR T cells.

Training/techniques and environment

The work builds on pipelines already established in our laboratories. The studentship will provide training in proteomics, bioinformatics, antibody engineering, and immunotherapy, preparing the candidate for a career at the translational interface of cancer biology and therapeutic innovation. For patients in Wales and beyond, this project addresses a pressing unmet need by laying the groundwork for next-generation immunotherapies in one of the most lethal forms of AML.

The student will supported by an excellent supervisory scientific and clinical team with a track record in student PhD supervision. You'll employ advanced genetic modification techniques including molecular and proteomic profiling techniques to characterize the transcriptome and proteome of blood cells. You will utilize different cell biological techniques including imaging assays, flow cytometry, and western blotting alongside diverse cellular assays. These will be built upon training in data and bioinformatic analysis to support the development of antibody engineering skills. You will also be trained in scientific writing, improving your written and verbal skills and opportunities to contribute to teaching and public understanding of science. Researchers within the Division and Department have the potential to collaborate with colleagues in the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre at Cardiff (which is co-lead by one of the supervisors). All PhD students in the School of Medicine undergo a week training course with additional modules over several months in research methods and will have access to several courses on research skills through the Graduate College.

About the Department

The student will be based in the School of Medicine in Cardiff’s Blood Cancer Research UK Centre of Excellence within the Section of Haematology, Division of Cancer & Genetics. The main research interest of the Department is haematological oncology, which has consistently submitted an outstanding International Profile for the Research Assessments. The proposed supervisory team have a strong track record of research collaboration centred on understanding how molecular abnormalities associated with leukaemia contribute to disease pathogenesis. The proposed supervisors have been trained in supervision and have an excellent record of completion as well as progression of students to academic research.

How to apply:

Please use our online application service at:

https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/programme/medicine and specify in the funding section that you wish to be considered for CRW funding. Please also specify the project title and supervisor.

The closing date for applications is 11th May 2026 and we expect interviews to be held late May, early June

The successful applicant is likely to have a very good first degree (a First or Upper Second class Honours or equivalent)

The 3 year studentship will commence in October 2026

English requirements: If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements by the start of the programme.

Funding Notes

This Cancer Research Wales (CRW) studentship is open to Home and EU applicants. The award offered will cover fees and a maintenance stipend (for 26/27 this will be approx. £21,805)

Eligibility

To be classified as ‘EU’ for tuition fee purposes, you must:

Be ordinarily resident* in the EU/EEA/UK/Switzerland for the full three-year period prior to commencing your studies

Have no immigration restriction on the length of your stay in the EU/EEA/UK/Switzerland

Not be eligible for ‘Home’ fee status under Welsh Government regulations