Restoring Primary Cilia to Understand Epithelial Organisation and Therapy Response in Prostate Cancer

About the Project

Prostate cancer remains a major clinical challenge, particularly when tumours become resistant to androgen-targeted therapies. Emerging research suggests that tiny cellular structures called primary cilia may play an unexpected role in regulating epithelial organisation and signalling in cancer. However, their functional contribution to prostate cancer progression is still unclear.

This PhD project will explore how changes in primary cilia influence epithelial architecture and androgen receptor (AR) signalling using a cutting-edge human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived prostate organoid platform. These 3D organoids faithfully model key stages of prostate cancer progression and provide a powerful system to test mechanistic hypotheses in a controlled human context.

The student will combine advanced confocal microscopy, quantitative image analysis and single-cell transcriptomic integration to define how ciliation state relates to epithelial organisation and AR pathway dynamics. The project will also investigate whether pharmacological modulation of pathways regulating ciliogenesis alters tumour cell behaviour in defined genetic backgrounds.

This studentship offers training at the interface of developmental biology, cancer modelling and translational research. The student will gain hands-on experience in human organoid culture, imaging, data analysis and pathway-focused pharmacological testing. A short research placement within a specialist cilia biology laboratory will provide additional expertise in organelle regulation and advanced imaging techniques.

This project is ideally suited to a motivated student interested in mechanistic cancer biology, advanced human disease models and the cellular basis of therapy response. It offers the opportunity to contribute to a growing area of research that links organelle biology to tumour behaviour in clinically relevant systems.

Funding

Students who have, or are expecting to attain, at least an upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, are invited to apply. Funding is available for Home (UK) students to cover tuition fees, a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (indicative amount in year 1 in 2026-27, £21,805) and research costs, for four years. Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates. There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights etc.

Funding for this studentship is awarded on a competitive basis and is not guaranteed; availability will depend on the outcome of the selection process and subject to final approval by the University.