Unlocking Extracellular Vesicles for Delivery of Personalised Kinase Inhibitor Therapy in Prostate Cancer

About the Project

A major challenge in prostate cancer treatment is that many patients eventually stop responding to standard hormone therapies such as enzalutamide. This resistance often arises because cancer cells rewire key signalling pathways controlled by protein kinases. Some kinase‑targeting drugs show promise, but clinical trials have been disappointing—likely because patients were not matched to treatments based on the molecular features of their tumours. Our previous work shows that cells resistant to enzalutamide may become more sensitive to certain kinase inhibitors, opening up new therapeutic avenues for patients.

All cells release membrane-bound particles containing molecules representative of the cell of origin, including cancer cells. Present in bodily fluids, these particles – extracellular vesicles (EVs), can be harnessed for liquid biopsy. This provides a minimally invasive alternative to prostate biopsy, to help in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

In this project, you will investigate EVs as a tool to understand and ultimately predict how prostate cancer patients will respond to treatment. First, you will develop methods to isolate and label EVs so their movement and uptake can be tracked inside cells and tissues using microscopy. Next, you will analyse EV‑RNA from prostate cancer cells treated with different kinase inhibitors to discover molecular signatures linked to treatment sensitivity. Finally, using an ex vivo model of human prostate tissue, you will explore how EVs influence communication between tumour cells and their surrounding environment, helping to shape drug resistance.

This project is ideal for students interested in cancer biology, molecular medicine, and translational approaches. You will gain experience in ex vivo models, bioinformatics, EV biology and basic molecular techniques.

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.