Using Cancer-on-Chip Platforms to Characterise the Impact of Radiotherapy on Tumour Microenvironment

Project Title:

Harnessing the Potential of Cancer-on-Chip Platforms to Characterise the Impact of Radiotherapy on Tumour Microenvironment 

Project Code: 25005

Primary Supervisors:

Dr Maria Hawkins - m.hawkins@ucl.ac.uk

Subsidiary Supervisors: Prof Emad Moeendarbary - e.moeendarbary@ucl.ac.uk

Introduction:

A 4-year funded PhD studentship is available in the UCL Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering. Funding will be at least the UCL minimum stipend rate. Read more details on funding here. 

The successful candidate will join our Research Degree in Medical Physics (application portal here), and benefit from the activities and events organised by the department.

Project Background: 

Colorectal cancer (CRC) and glioblastoma (GBM) are aggressive cancers with poor patient outcomes, partly due to radiotherapy resistance driven by tumour microenvironment (TME), which includes factors such as hypoxia, abnormal vasculature, and interactions with stromal cells like cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). 

Current in-vitro models (2D & 3D) fail to replicate the complexity of the human TME [1], while complex animal models are not suitable to pinpoint the role of specific factors in TME. Animal models differ from human physiology and are expensive, time-consuming, and face ethical concerns, highlighting the need for better, more human-relevant models [2]. 

This project aims to address these limitations by developing 3D biomimetic-on-chip platforms consisting of microvasculature-integrated with CRC and GBM organoids. These advanced platform will enable the study of effect of radiotherapy on TME in a more realistic TME , providing insights into tumour biology and also mechanisms of radiotherapy resistance. 

Research aims: 

• Aim 1: Establish an advanced vascularized CRC/GBM-on-a-chip model that mimics the tumour microenvironment
• Aim 2: Investigate the radiation response and damage in the vascularised CRC/GBM-on-a-chip model

Key experiments before and after radiotherapy to asses changes in: 

1. Cellular properties (proliferation, migration, and/or invasion, senescence) and DNA double-strand breaks. 

2. Functional properties (vasculature complexity, perfusability, and permeability) surrounding TME. 

3. Gene and protein expression profiles using RT-qPCR and western blotting. 

4. Whole transcriptome by performing RNA sequencing. 

5. Vascular stiffness using atomic force microscopy (AFM). 

• Aim 3: Incorporate CAFs into the vascularized CRC/GBM-on-a-chip model to study their role in radiotherapy resistance

Person specification & requirements:

• This studentship is only open to Home Fee-paying candidates. More information about fee status criteria.
• Candidates with a background in molecular and cellular biology, bioengineering, or cancer biology are encouraged to apply.
• Hands-on experience in 3Dcell, culture, microfluidics, or imaging techniques (confocal microscopy) would be advantageous.
• Candidates should have an interest in TME, radiotherapy, and in-vitro model development.
• Candidates should hold a UK (or international equivalent) first or upper-second Bachelor’s degree. 

Funding:

This is a full studentship available to Home fee applicants only.

The successful student will receive a stipend starting from at least the UCL minimum (£22,780 in 2025/26) as well as the cost of tuition fees for Home fee students (£6,215 in 2025/26). 

The stipends awarded to PhD students at UCL are tax free and incur no income tax or national insurance contributions. The amount received increases each year over the duration of the studentship. 

UCL’s fee eligibility criteria

How to apply:

Please complete the following steps to apply: 

• Send an expression of interest and current CV to Professor Maria Hawkins  and medphys.pgr@ucl.ac.uk, quoting Project Code 25005 in the email subject line.M.Hawkins@ucl.ac.uk
• Make a formal application via the UCL application portal: Apply | Prospective Students Graduate - UCL – University College London. Please select the programme code ‘Medical Physics RRDMPHSING01’ and enter Project Code 25005 under ‘Name of Award 1’
• If shortlisted, candidates will be invited for an interview. 

Application Timeline:

• After the deadline, all applicants that expressed their interest and specified Project 25005 in their Portico application will be considered for interview.
• Candidates will normally be invited for interview within three weeks of the deadline. If you have not been contacted within this time-period, you have unfortunately not been successful in being shortlisted.
• The interview panel will normally consist of the supervision team on the project.
• Note that applications without specifying the project they are applying for and/or making a formal Portico application will be automatically rejected.
• If you are offered and accept a studentship position, a formal UCL Offer of Admission will be sent to you as well as an offer of studentship funding.