Investigation of Chemoresistance in high grade serous ovarian cancer

About the Project

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most aggressive form of epithelial ovarian cancer and is typically diagnosed at an advanced stage. Although most patients initially respond to platinum-based chemotherapy, the majority eventually relapse with chemoresistant disease, for which treatment options are limited and prognosis remains poor. Our recent research using high-content drug screening studies have identified a novel drug combination that shows strong synergy and selectively targets chemoresistant HGSOC cell lines and patient-derived models. This project will focus on elucidating the mechanism of action of this combination therapy to understand how it overcomes chemoresistance. Using molecular profiling, functional assays, and advanced 3D and ex vivo models, the project will further our understanding of the molecular basis of acquired chemoresistance in HGSOC and support the development of a repurposed drug programme for chemoresistant HGSOC.

Training provided through the research project

The project will provide hands-on training for the student in the following:

• Cancer cell culture
• Patient derived disease models
• Drug toxicity analysis
• Image-based drug response profiling
• Functional assays Assays to measure cell responses such as apoptosis
• Protein, RNA and DNA isolation methods
• Gene expression and Protein detection methods
• A thorough understanding of cancer research

Working as a PhD will also provide the following training:

• Oral and poster presentation skills
• Working as part of a team
• Project management: Planning and organising experiments, time management
• Teamwork
• Data analysis
• statistical analysis

Expected impact activities

Impact activities include but are not restricted to presenting research tothe academic community by attendance at scientific conferences and students from different disciplines through the Graduate School. The student will also engage with patients, and develop cores skills in Patient and Public Involvement activities.

Funding Notes

This project is not funded; applications are welcome from self-funding candidates.

References

ovarian cancer, pharmacology, chemoresistance, drug repurposing