MBiolSci Research Project (Cancer Molecular Pathology and Therapeutics)

Module code: BS4404

This module comprises of an independent laboratory research under the guidance of a project supervisor. You will be encouraged to perform background research and critically appraise relevant literature to form a hypotheses, and design and implement experiments/other data collection protocols. This module emphasises the importance of working effectively as part of a team to produce agreed outcomes, and to manage your time and resources when undertaking a research project.

The project is an ideal preparation if you are wishing to proceed to a PhD in the fields of Cancer Pathology and Therapeutics, and offers a great opportunity to enhance your employability as a biomedical scientist.

Recent research project titles offered include:

• Use of human adult stem cell models for assessing the efficacy of cancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents
• Accelerating cancer prevention therapies to the clinic – towards an improved understanding of the mechanisms of action of resveratrol, curcumin and aspirin.
• Addressing the role of amino acids metabolism in cancer metastasis
• Monitoring the circulating cancer genome for patient follow up
• Molecular characterisation of sputum from lung cancer patients: search for biomarkers of early detection
• Developing a cellular model of malignant mesothelioma for translational studies
• Development and application of PCR assays for detection of cancer driver mutations
• Studies of epithelial mesenchymal transition as a key mechanism of tumour progression
• Finding the genetic determinants of response to radiotherapy
• Comet assay measures of DNA damage in cancer