4 year PhD Studentship Laser Photoacoustic Imaging of Cancer
Ref: PS4
Photoacoustic Imaging Group, UCL Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering Tumour Biology Group, UCL Cancer Institute
Applications are invited for a 4 year EPSRC funded Studentship to work at the physics/life science interface on the development and application of a new biomedical imaging modality, photoacoustic imaging, for pre-clinical cancer studies. The technique is based upon the generation of broadband ultrasound waves in the tissue by the absorption of nanosecond pulses of laser light. These acoustic waves can then be detected at the tissue surface with an array of ultrasound receivers and used to reconstruct a high resolution 3D image of the internal tissue structure. A prototype photoacoustic imaging scanner has been developed and shown to be capable of providing high resolution 3D structural and functional images of tissues - examples of some of these images can be found at: http://www.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/research/mle/index.htm. The task ahead, and the aim of the project, is to build on this proof-of-concept work and demonstrate the practical in vivo application of the technique for characterising mouse models of human tumours.
The project will be based around a collaborative interdisciplinary research program consisting of two cross linked components. One component will be directed towards making further developments to the instrumentation in order to optimise its performance specifically for characterising tumours and will be undertaken in the Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering. It may also involve methodological developments, such as developing, implementing and validating algorithms for recovering blood oxygenation and flow from photoacoustic images. The aim of the second component of the research is to transfer the above developments and apply them to the in vivo characterisation of tumours. This will be undertaken in collaboration with the Tumour Biology Group in the UCL Cancer Institute and based largely within the newly opened UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging (CABI) where the photoacoustic imaging instrument will be housed. It will involve exploring the ability of the technique to reveal the structural, functional and molecular characteristics of tumours and then applying this capability to study the response to different therapies such as antivascular drugs and therapeutic antibodies. The balance between the two components will depend to an extent on the background and interests of the student and inevitably the progression of the research over the course of the project.
As the above indicates, the project is highly interdisciplinary encompassing applied optics, acoustics, computational methods, imaging science, biochemistry and tumour biology. Hence this is a four year PhD program in order to provide sufficient time to acquire the necessary knowledge in these and other disciplines. A comprehensive program of training will be undertaken encompassing taught coursework, practical laboratory work and generic skills training. Training will be integrated throughout the research project although the majority of the taught coursework (which the student will be examined on and is expected to pass) is likely to be undertaken in the first year. This project provides an excellent opportunity to undertake multidisciplinary research at the physics/life science interface within a world class research environment and contribute to the development of new cancer therapies.
Applications are invited from well motivated individuals who have, or are expected to have, at least a good honours degree (or higher, such as an MSc) in Physics, Electronic Engineering or a related discipline and an interest in the biomedical sciences. Alternatively applicants with a background in the clinical and/or life sciences with a strong interest and at least some experience in experimental physics/engineering may be suitable. In both cases, applications are welcome from those with relevant industrial experience seeking to return to an academic research environment. The studentship is fully funded for 4 years and will attract a stipend of £15,000 pa.
The closing date for applications is 17 October 2008
Requests for further information and applications (including a covering letter, CV and names of 2 referees) should be sent to Dr. Paul Beard at pbeard@medphys.ucl.ac.uk
Only UK/EU applicants are likely to be eligible for the funding associated with this award. Candidates from EU countries other than the UK are only eligible for the full award (tuition fees and stipend) if they can demonstrate a relevant connection to the UK, usually established by being resident in the UK for a period of three years immediately prior to the date of application. EU candidates who do not fulfill this requirement may be eligible for fees only. Non-EU candidates may in some circumstances be eligible if they meet certain requirements. Details of eligibility requirements for all candidates can be found at:
http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/PostgraduateTraining/StudentEligibility.htm
Further information on the research area and the activities of the Photoacoustic Imaging Group, The Tumour Biology Group, UCL Cancer Institute, Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging and the Biomedical Optical Research Laboratory can be found at:
1. Photoacoustic Imaging Group
http://www.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/research/mle/index.htm
2. Tumour Biology Group
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/cancer/research-groups/therapeutic-response/index.htm
3. UCL Cancer Institute
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/cancer/
4. Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/cabi/
5. Biomedical Optical Research Laboratory
http://www.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/research/borl/index.htm
Photoacoustic Imaging Group, UCL Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering Tumour Biology Group, UCL Cancer Institute
Applications are invited for a 4 year EPSRC funded Studentship to work at the physics/life science interface on the development and application of a new biomedical imaging modality, photoacoustic imaging, for pre-clinical cancer studies. The technique is based upon the generation of broadband ultrasound waves in the tissue by the absorption of nanosecond pulses of laser light. These acoustic waves can then be detected at the tissue surface with an array of ultrasound receivers and used to reconstruct a high resolution 3D image of the internal tissue structure. A prototype photoacoustic imaging scanner has been developed and shown to be capable of providing high resolution 3D structural and functional images of tissues - examples of some of these images can be found at: http://www.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/research/mle/index.htm. The task ahead, and the aim of the project, is to build on this proof-of-concept work and demonstrate the practical in vivo application of the technique for characterising mouse models of human tumours.
The project will be based around a collaborative interdisciplinary research program consisting of two cross linked components. One component will be directed towards making further developments to the instrumentation in order to optimise its performance specifically for characterising tumours and will be undertaken in the Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering. It may also involve methodological developments, such as developing, implementing and validating algorithms for recovering blood oxygenation and flow from photoacoustic images. The aim of the second component of the research is to transfer the above developments and apply them to the in vivo characterisation of tumours. This will be undertaken in collaboration with the Tumour Biology Group in the UCL Cancer Institute and based largely within the newly opened UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging (CABI) where the photoacoustic imaging instrument will be housed. It will involve exploring the ability of the technique to reveal the structural, functional and molecular characteristics of tumours and then applying this capability to study the response to different therapies such as antivascular drugs and therapeutic antibodies. The balance between the two components will depend to an extent on the background and interests of the student and inevitably the progression of the research over the course of the project.
As the above indicates, the project is highly interdisciplinary encompassing applied optics, acoustics, computational methods, imaging science, biochemistry and tumour biology. Hence this is a four year PhD program in order to provide sufficient time to acquire the necessary knowledge in these and other disciplines. A comprehensive program of training will be undertaken encompassing taught coursework, practical laboratory work and generic skills training. Training will be integrated throughout the research project although the majority of the taught coursework (which the student will be examined on and is expected to pass) is likely to be undertaken in the first year. This project provides an excellent opportunity to undertake multidisciplinary research at the physics/life science interface within a world class research environment and contribute to the development of new cancer therapies.
Applications are invited from well motivated individuals who have, or are expected to have, at least a good honours degree (or higher, such as an MSc) in Physics, Electronic Engineering or a related discipline and an interest in the biomedical sciences. Alternatively applicants with a background in the clinical and/or life sciences with a strong interest and at least some experience in experimental physics/engineering may be suitable. In both cases, applications are welcome from those with relevant industrial experience seeking to return to an academic research environment. The studentship is fully funded for 4 years and will attract a stipend of £15,000 pa.
The closing date for applications is 17 October 2008
Requests for further information and applications (including a covering letter, CV and names of 2 referees) should be sent to Dr. Paul Beard at pbeard@medphys.ucl.ac.uk
Only UK/EU applicants are likely to be eligible for the funding associated with this award. Candidates from EU countries other than the UK are only eligible for the full award (tuition fees and stipend) if they can demonstrate a relevant connection to the UK, usually established by being resident in the UK for a period of three years immediately prior to the date of application. EU candidates who do not fulfill this requirement may be eligible for fees only. Non-EU candidates may in some circumstances be eligible if they meet certain requirements. Details of eligibility requirements for all candidates can be found at:
http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/PostgraduateTraining/StudentEligibility.htm
Further information on the research area and the activities of the Photoacoustic Imaging Group, The Tumour Biology Group, UCL Cancer Institute, Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging and the Biomedical Optical Research Laboratory can be found at:
1. Photoacoustic Imaging Group
http://www.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/research/mle/index.htm
2. Tumour Biology Group
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/cancer/research-groups/therapeutic-response/index.htm
3. UCL Cancer Institute
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/cancer/
4. Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/cabi/
5. Biomedical Optical Research Laboratory
http://www.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/research/borl/index.htm
