Synthetic Biomarker-Loaded DNA Nanoboxes: A Literal Out of the Box Solution for Early Pancreatic Cancer Detection.

Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed in advanced stages due to its asymptomatic nature in the early phases and the lack of reliable screening tools. Five-year survival rates are alarmingly low (~10%), primarily because by the time symptoms appear, the cancer has often metastasised. Early detection significantly improves outcomes; when tumors are caught early and while still localised (increasing survival rates beyond 40%), making early detection critical to improve outcomes for patients.

Synthetic biomarkers are man-made materials designed to mimic natural biomarkers and provide measurable signals that confirm the presence of a disease. These biomarkers can be engineered to address the limitations of natural biomarkers, such as their low specificity, low concentration levels in patient and short lifespans in serum samples.

We propose to develop a new platform for the early detection of pancreatic cancers, which utilises a chemically modified DNA as an amplifiable synthetic biomarker and DNA nanomaterial (DNA-nanoboxes) as the probe and delivery vehicle. Through an inject, draw and detect strategy, the proposed platform will be injected into the patient. Upon recognising and binding to the pancreatic cancer biomarker, the nanostructured DNA will release multiple synthetic biomarkers into the blood which indirectly increases the detectable biomarker signal. The presence of early-stage pancreatic cancer will then be confirmed through drawing a blood sample from the patient via a simple qPCR assay.

We are looking for a motivated PhD student with an appropriate first degree in chemistry, biotechnology or biomedical sciences (2:i minimum) and a MSc in an appropriate area. 

You will gain skills in the design and synthesis of DNA nanostructures using CAD design software and self-assembly synthesis.

You will design and develop novel qPCR assays for the detection of synthetic biomarkers and use bioanalytical techniques such as native gels. You will utilise bioinformatic analysis to design both the primers and synthetic biomarker.  

In addition, you will also learn other lab skills where appropriate. 

LJMU Science and its three Schools: Biological & Environmental Sciences, Pharmacy & Biomolecular Sciences, and Sports & Exercise Science, have dedicated Diversity and Inclusion (DI) Groups. The individual School Diversity & Inclusion Coordinators and the Faculty Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion lead collective action to promote and embed a culture of equality, diversity and inclusivity. All Schools are awarded the Athena SWAN Bronze in recognition of their respective equality initiatives and action plans. Also, Schools have proactive diversity and inclusion groups that are aimed to support staff and students by addressing the inclusivity requirements that are unique to each School, in alignment with the LJMU Diversity & Inclusion policies. Applicants are invited to visit the Faculty of Science https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/faculties/faculty-of-science and follow the link to each School.