Funded PhD: Determining the potential of repurposing HIV antiretroviral medications for HPV infection to prevent cervical cancer

Project in brief

This PhD project will evaluate whether antiretroviral medications used for HIV can prevent development of cervical cancer.

In November 2023 the NHS pledged to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. Targeting the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) that causes 99% of cervical cancers is essential if this eradication target is to be achieved. HPV-mediated inflammation is key to its role in causing cervical cancer with the activation of the nuclear transcription factor NF-kB playing a central role.

We have recently identified antiretroviral medications used clinically for both the treatment of and pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV infection that also inhibit NF-kB activation. This project aims to investigate the ability of the antiretroviral drugs to reduce viral-induced inflammation in human cervical cancer cells and identify the cellular molecular pathways involved. It is envisaged that the study will provide preclinical data supporting the use of these drugs in HPV infection.

This project will deliver training in a suite of valuable, highly transferable laboratory skills including both cellular and molecular biology techniques, that will prepare you for a wide variety of career options.

Key Facts

Location Moulsecoomb campus, Brighton

Research centre Centre for Lifelong Health

Project themes Cervical cancer, antiretroviral drugs, inflammation, medicines optimization

Deadline Thursday 29 February 2024 at 16.00 GMT

Interviews March 2024

Find out how to apply

University of Brighton supervisors

Dr Jon Mabley

My primary supervisory interest are in the field of diabetes both at the ß-cell level and complications in the cardiovascular and hepatic system. Projects currently running in my labortaory are looking at dicarbonyl stress-mediated diabetic complications and how anti-retroviral drugs can impact the pancreatic ß-cell. A secondary interest is in anti-retroviral drug-mediated cellular dysfunction looking at the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the adverse drug reactions observed with these therapies.

Dr Lucas Bowler

I currently supervise Ph.D. students who work at the interface between biochemistry and microbiology. Current Ph.D. students in the group are involved in studies of the protein-protein interactions involved in the activity of bacterial colicins in Escherichia coli and the use of Next Generation Sequencing approaches for the analysis of changes in the fungal and bacterial microbiota of the mammalian gut in response to stressors.

I also have interests in mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics, the development of novel antimicrobial agents and the use of proteomics and biological mass spectrometry for the study of microbial stress responses.

I am always happy to hear from enthusiastic and motivated individuals. Please contact me if you wish to discuss a potential PhD project in any of these or related areas.

Dr Greg Scutt

I currently supervise PhD, MSc and undergraduate MPharm students. The projects that my research students are studying include: investigating the mechanisms through which a common drug used to treat schizophrenia can lead to diabetes, the extent to which a new drug used to treat prostate cancer (enzalutamide) interacts with a drug used to prevent the blood from clotting, using genetics to predict patients that are at a high risk of developing an adverse drug reaction. I supervise projects where data collection occurs in both the laboratory and the patient facing enviroment. I am very interested in supervising students studing a range of research topics in both the laboratory, the clinic and using computer simulations, particulalry in the area of ageing, pharmacokietics (the study of how the body deals with drug molecules over time) and pharmacodynamics (how drugs interact with the body), and pharmacogenetics (how our genes influence drug response and disposition).

Entry requirements

Academic entry requirements

Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree and desirably hold or expect to achieve excellent grades in a Master’s degree in a relevant subject from a UK university or comparable qualifications from another recognised university.

Applicants are also required to submit a CV and a 1250 word (max) statement outlining (a) a proposed project approach and (b) a personal experience and expertise summary (see our Guide to making your application below).

Residential eligibility

Applications from both Home and non-UK resident students can be accepted. Please note, non-UK residents can only undertake full-time study.

If successful, students must live in the UK and within reasonable access to the University.

English language entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must have successfully completed a Secure English language Test (SELT) in the last two years. Applicants who are currently studying for a UK degree or who have obtained a UK degree in the last three years may apply without a SELT. However, the university may request a SELT is taken as part of any award made.

English language IELTS requirements are minimum of 6.5 in each component.

If you have an English language qualification other than IELTS, please contact us to see if you are eligible to apply for a studentship

See UK Government guidance for full details.

Funding

Each studentship provides a tax-free stipend for living expenses at UKRI rates (£18,622 per year for full-time study in 2023-24) and covers tuition fees for the duration of the studentship (three years for full-time PhD study or six years for part-time (Home students only) study).

Contact us

For any questions or further information about the project, please contact the lead supervisor Dr Jon Mabley (see profile for contact details).

If you have any questions about the funding or application process, please contact DoctoralCollege@brighton.ac.uk.

Guide to making your application

What to include in your application

Please complete all relevant fields on the application form and include the following:

Documents to be uploaded:

copies of your bachelors and master certificates, including transcripts (upload in Education section)
copy of your IELTS (or equivalent) certificate (if applicable) (upload in English Language section)
copy of your passport (upload in any section)

two written documents as follows:

We require two written documents: a two-part narrative text (1) and your CV (2). To complete this requirement, please adhere to the guidance on this page rather than the generic guidance on the application form. Please upload the following as two attachments rather than entering text in the box on the application form.

Your proposed project approach (a) and personal statement (b): in the Personal Statement section of the form, please upload a narrative (total 1250 words max) that has two components:
- (a) a description of how you intend to approach the project and key questions that will need to be addressed (500 words max);
- (b) a summary of your experience, personal attributes, current knowledge and research skills (750 words max)
Your CV: in the Research Proposal section of the form, please upload a two-page CV. Please also ensure you have completed the two fields requesting supervisor name and project title. You do not need to include a full research proposal; we require a project approach within the Personal Statement section as outlined above.

Two references:

One reference must be an academic reference from your most recent period of study; both references must have been dated within the last year. You can submit your references either by providing contact details of your referees or by uploading a scan of a formal signed reference.

How to start your online application

To start your application please follow these steps:

1. Click the 'apply online now' button, on the right.
2. Select 'register and start a new application', to create your user account.
3. Once you are logged in, select 'apply to a new course'.
4. Select the type of course 'research degree'.
5. Select mode of study 'full-time' (Home students shortlisted for interview will have the option of changing their preferred mode of study to 'part-time')
6. Select 'Doctoral College'
7. Select ‘Applied Sciences studentship’
8. Click 'apply'.

You will now be able to complete the online application form.

Apply Online Now