This project is closed for international students.
Project summary
- Program
- PhD
- Location
- St Lucia
- Research area
- Biomedical and clinical sciences
Project description
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents the most dangerous form of breast cancer and is difficult to treat by conventional methods.
Despite the promise of immunotherapy for treating cancers, the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) as a potential treatment option for TNBC is hindered by insufficient expression of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) displaying tumour-specific antigen peptides (pMHC-I) and reduced specificity of activated cytotoxic T cell antigen receptors (TCRs).
This Investigator project aims to overcome this limitation by developing a novel nano-adjuvant to improve ICI treatment outcome for TNBC patients.
The specific aims of the project are to:
1. develop a nano-adjuvant platform for enhanced MHC-I antigen cross-dressing presentation
2. elucidate the nano-adjuvant enabled antigen cross-dressing presentation mechanism
3. evaluate the nano-adjuvant mediated anti-tumour efficacy and the biological safety profile
4. investigate the combinational therapy of nano-adjuvant and ICI in a TNBC model.
Research environment
- This PhD project is supported by NHMRC and an industrial partner.
- Research excellence: the project will be conducted by the Yu group. Principal supervisor: H-index of 107, over 400 publications, 41,500 citations.
- The Yu group has an outstanding track record in supervision, nanotechnology, drug delivery, and cancer immunotherapy, all of which are relevant to this project.
- Strategic alignment: the project fits with priority research areas at the AIBN and UQ.
- The AIBN will provide all facilities needed in this project plus various additional supports, e.g., an AIBN Entrepreneurial PhD Scholarship, attending national/international conferences, and an IT package.
Scholarship
This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.
The scholarship includes:
- living stipend of $39,220 per annum tax free (2026 rate), indexed annually
- your tuition fees covered.
Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme scholarship.
Supervisor
Principal supervisor
Preferred educational background
Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.
We take into account your:
- previous academic record
- publication record
- honours and awards
- employment history.
A working knowledge of biomedical science and/or chemistry and/or nanomedicine would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
You will demonstrate academic achievement in the field of nanomedicine and the potential for scholastic success.
A background or knowledge of biomedical science or nanomedicine is highly desirable.
How to apply
This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 1, 2027. You can start in an earlier research quarter.
You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) by the closing date for the research quarter (RQ) you want to start in:
Before you apply
- Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
- Prepare your documentation.
- If you have any questions about whether the project is suitable for your research interests, contact Professor Chengzhong Yu (c.yu@uq.edu.au).
When you apply
To apply, submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the program. You don't need to apply separately for the project or scholarship. How to submit an EOI
In your EOI, complete the 'Scholarship/Sponsorship' section with the following details:
- Are you applying for an advertised project: 'Yes'
- Project: 'Fellowship project scholarship'
- Scholarship Code Listed in the Advertisement: COMBINATIONAL-YU
- Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/combinational-nano-immunotherapy-cancer-treatment-0