The microbiome and the promotion of bowel cancer: The key to understanding causation and prevention of this important disease

Bowel cancer is the second commonest cause of cancer death in the UK and affects 1.9 million people annually worldwide. Its cause is still unknown but recent work by Wood et al. (Nature) helped identify a bacterial toxin as a causative agent. Cancer causation is known to occur firstly through the initiation of mutations and then the subsequent promotion of those mutations which lead to phenotypic changes of pre-cancerous and cancerous lesion.

<p>Although there has been previous work to establish the range of initiating mutations in normal tissues and their causes, it has been demonstrated that the presence of these mutations alone are not sufficient to cause cancer to develop. Cancer research has now shifted to better understanding promotion (the development of cancers) as an important mechanism. We can demonstrate that bacteria and the toxins they produce are associated with bowel cancer carriage and we can prove that they can promote growth of clones in animal models. In association with CRUK Grand challenge OPTIMISTICC (https://optimisticc.org) collaborators in John Hopkins (USA) and Guelph (Canada) we are investigating the role of this mechanism in human bowel cancer growth with the hope that we can intervene and slow/stop cancer development. The student would investigate putative oncobacteria and their toxins for their eff WP1 The microbiome and the promotion of bowel cancer.</p> <p>Supervisors: Dr Kate Marks, Dr Henry Wood, Dr Nick West, Prof Phil Quirke ects on the human gut to identify the key bacteria we need to suppress by chemoprevention, probiotics or vaccination. Our first platform intervention study Coloprevent has just started which could act as a mechanism to test hypotheses emerging from the research. We also have several unique patient tissue cohorts in which findings can be further validated.</p> <p>Ref 1 PMID: 32106218 Ref 2 doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-20-3807. Epub 2021 Mar 3.</p> <h5>References</h5> <ol> <li>Mutational signature in colorectal cancer caused by genotoxic pks+ E. coli.Pleguezuelos-Manzano C, Puschhof J, Rosendahl Huber A, van Hoeck A, Wood HM, Nomburg J, Gurjao C, Manders F, Dalmasso G, Stege PB, Paganelli FL, Geurts MH, Beumer J, Mizutani T, Miao Y, van der Linden R, van der Elst S; Genomics England Research Consortium; Garcia KC, Top J, Willems RJL, Giannakis M, Bonnet R, Quirke P, Meyerson M, Cuppen E, van Boxtel R, Clevers H.Nature. 2020 Apr;580(7802):269-273. doi: 10.1038/s41586-020-2080-8. Epub 2020 Feb 27.PMID: 32106218 &nbsp;</li> <li>Microbiome Analysis of More Than 2,000 NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme Samples Shows the Potential to Improve Screening Accuracy.Young C, Wood HM, Fuentes Balaguer A, Bottomley D, Gallop N, Wilkinson L, Benton SC, Brealey M, John C, Burtonwood C, Thompson KN, Yan Y, Barrett JH, Morris EJA, Huttenhower C, Quirke P.Clin Cancer Res. 2021 Apr 15;27(8):2246-2254. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-20-3807. Epub 2021 Mar 3.</li> </ol> <p><strong>To support the application process or if you want to know more about our non-clinical PhDs a recording of our 2023 webinar can be found via the links below</strong></p> <p><strong>**The deadline dates in the webinar are out of date but are correct in the stand-alone slide deck**</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.findaphd.com/common/clickCount.aspx?theid=164726&amp;type=184&amp;DID=757&amp;url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3djRE-3RqlCh8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NIHR Leeds BRC Non Clinical PhD Scheme webinar - YouTube</a></p> <p>with a copy of the slide deck used at</p> <p><a href="https://www.findaphd.com/common/clickCount.aspx?theid=164726&amp;type=184&amp;DID=757&amp;url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3dQqQ5PbEdj-8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leeds BRC Non Clinical PhD Webinar FINAL updated slide deck March 24 - YouTube</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>To apply for this scholarship opportunity applicants should complete an <a href="https://biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/research-degrees/doc/how-to-apply">online application form</a> and attach the following documentation to support their application.&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Three supporting statements detailing your previous achievements, why you wish to study for a PhD and your experience of using evidence to inform conclusions.&nbsp;These will be used by our shortlisting panel (without any other information you submit) to select candidates for interview. Please<strong> <a href="https://leeds365-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/msjsar_leeds_ac_uk/EWpNioRfOnFOtYy0-vI3NMYB-U55N_vtiRXW0VOLS5irwA?rtime=rXynDPvh20g">download</a></strong><a href="https://leeds365-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/msjsar_leeds_ac_uk/EWpNioRfOnFOtYy0-vI3NMYB-U55N_vtiRXW0VOLS5irwA?rtime=rXynDPvh20g"> a copy of the template for these statements here</a> and upload it with your application.</li> <li>a full Narrative CV using the <a href="https://leeds365-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/msjsar_leeds_ac_uk/ESUuMXUAMQFJplLJWCJumiUBMrjvsU60E0YA0CbF6GZFJQ?e=CV5PTC&amp;wdLOR=c146CB828-59A6-4C09-ABA5-05B1BDE31ED7">NIHR Leeds BRC template</a> &ndash;&nbsp;Please note other versions of CV&rsquo;s will not be accepted.</li> <li>degree certificate and transcripts of marks at both Undergraduate and Postgraduate level as appropriate, or marks so far if still studying</li> <li>Evidence that you meet the University&#39;s minimum English language requirements (if applicable)</li> <li>An <a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/nihr-leeds-brc-academy-edi-survey">Equality, Diversity and Inclusion questionnaire.</a> We encourage candidates to complete this form so that we can understand our progress in recruiting under-represented groups. It is important to note that all responses are anonymous and data would only ever be used in aggregate to avoid identification of individuals. The questionnaire includes a &lsquo;prefer not to say&rsquo; option against each question if required. The information you provide on this questionnaire will not be used in the shortlisting process.</li> </ul> <p>To help us identify that you are applying for this scholarship project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form;</p> <ul> <li>Select PhD in Medicine as your programme of study</li> <li>Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert &ndash;&nbsp;Please note you can apply for up to 2 projects. Please list these in order of preference on your applocation form.</li> <li>For source of funding please state you are applying for an NIHR Leeds BRC Non-Clinical Scholarship</li> </ul> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. &nbsp;Within the Faculty of Medicine and Health we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+; and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em>&nbsp;</p>

A degree in biological sciences, dentistry, medicine, midwifery, nursing, psychology or a good honours degree (2:1 or above) in a subject relevant to the research topic. A Masters degree is desirable but not essential.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence that their English language is sufficient to meet the specific demands of their study. The Faculty of Medicine and Health minimum requirements in IELTS and TOEFL tests for PhD, MSc, MPhil, MD are: &bull; British Council IELTS - score of 6.5 overall, with no element less than 6.0 &bull; TOEFL iBT - overall score of 92 with the listening and reading element no less than 21, writing element no less than 22 and the speaking element no less than 23.

<p>The University of Leeds is providing generous matched funding, supplementing the NIHR Leeds BRC award, to allow us to appoint one further non-clinical PhD Fellow who can select from 18 BRC related projects. Each PhD will be registered at the University of Leeds and we welcome applications from individuals, irrespective of their background, who can evidence great potential and commitment.</p> <p>The&nbsp;scholarship will provide academic&nbsp;fees at the UK rate, as well as a&nbsp;stipend of &pound;18,622 (based on the 2023/24 stipend rate, pro-rata for part time study) for up to three years (full time study, five years part time) and is available for&nbsp;UK applicants&nbsp;only. Due to limited funding we can only consider applicants eligible to pay academic fees at the UK fee rate.</p>

<p>For further information about this project please contact Dr Kate Marks</p> <p>e: <a href="mailto:K.M.Marks@leeds.ac.uk">K.M.Marks@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information please contact the Faculty Admissions Team<br /> e:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk">fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</a>,&nbsp;</p>