PhD: Engineering of Adipose Bone Marrow Niches of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

Project Overview

A studentship in the engineering of bone marrow niches and the study of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is available in the groups of Prof J. Gautrot (http://biointerfaces.qmul.ac.uk) and Dr Paolo Gallipoli (https://www.bci.qmul.ac.uk/staff/dr-paolo-gallipoli/). Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) aEects an increasing number of patients worldwide and is a cancer of unmet need with a 10-15% survival rate for >60 year old populations. AML is aggressive and typically results in the hyperproliferation of immature myeloblasts in the bone marrow, resulting in impaired haematopoiesis. The adipose content of the BM niche is associated both with the resistance of AML cells to therapies and the resurgence of the disease. However, the impact of the adipose BM microenvironment on chemoresistance and how it provides a niche for AML cells to persist and resurge is unknown. In this project, the impact of engineering the microenvironment of bone marrow niches on AML cell resistance and resurgence will be investigated. Within this project, you will be trained in the engineering of advanced in vitro models, including using microfluidic chips and organ-on-chip platforms (at the Centre for Predictive in Vitro Models, CPM), and the culture and characterisation of AML cell models developed at the Barts Cancer Institute (BCI). This will include microscopy techniques (confocal, scanning disc), biochemical analysis and proteomics/sequencing analysis of the AML models developed. The project, partly funded by AstraZeneca, will be in collaboration with their Oncology Safety team and will include an internship at their facilities in south Cambridge.