Impact of 12-HETE on the skin immune microenvironment and development of squamous cell carcinoma

Stipend: £22,780 (inclusive of London allowance) per annum + Tuition Fees (Home) for 3 years. A consumables budget is also provided.

Epidermal hyperplasia and skin inflammation are hallmarks of many skin diseases and the cause of much morbidity. Chronic skin inflammation may additionally drive the outgrowth of epithelial skin tumours. The role of cytokines in regulating skin biology and immunity have been extensively studied, however little is known of how bioactive lipid mediators contribute to skin homeostasis, inflammation and cancer. This project will define the skin bioactive lipidome during health and in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). While most cSCCs are easily treated, a substantial number recur or metastasize. As cSCCs are extremely common, and on the rise, the number of ‘high risk’ tumours is increasing and a better understanding of what drives this disease is imperative. In preclinical models we have found that certain lipid mediators, particularly 12-HETE, is highly present only in inflamed skin and in skin cancer. The central aim of this proposal is to understand how the skin bioactive lipidome fluctuates during skin challenge and in cSCC and to characterise mechanisms that regulate their metabolism and their function. We will specifically systematically determine the role of the inflammatory lipid mediator 12-HETE, and its metabolising enzyme 12-LOX, in regulating the skin immune microenvironment as well as cancer cell growth. The results from this project will add to our knowledge of human skin cancer immunology and will determine the importance of specific bioactive lipid mediators in skin biology during health, inflammation and cancer. Together our results may point to novel therapeutic strategies for both chronic inflammatory disorders and epithelial malignancies in the skin.

The PhD project is funded by the British Skin Foundation. Stipend and UK home tuition fees are included. The PhD will be held within and supervised by the Strid Lab, which is based at the Hammersmith Campus, Imperial College London. The appointed PhD candidate is expected to start in Autumn 2026.

How to Apply

To apply, send your cover letter and CV to Prof Strid (j.strid@imperial.ac.uk). For informal inquiries, please also contact Prof Strid directly.

The successful candidate will be asked to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London to allow their qualifications to be reviewed by College Registry.