Development of a Novel Molecular Manipulation Technique for Multi-Bioanalyte Cancer Profiling

The core concept of this PhD research project is to develop an innovative molecular manipulation method to rapidly transform a single immunological interaction into an amplified molecular signal, as equivalent to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for DNA/RNA detection. Successful project outcomes will enable a single workflow for multi-bioanalyte prostate cancer analysis.

Currently, there is a crucial lack of an integrated technology platform for simultaneous unified multi-bioanalyte analysis. The latest progress in the biosensing field is still confined to multiple independent assay workflows to separately detect DNA/RNA/protein mutations (i.e. biomarkers), leading to increased analysis cost and time to curtail precision cancer medicine. The root cause of this conundrum stems from the inherent differences in DNA/RNA and protein detection. Hence, our research program seeks to innovate and translate a technology that can integrate multi-bioanalyte cancer biomarker detection to facilitate precision cancer medicine (a form of cancer treatment that targets a patient’s specific tumor mutations).

At present, DNA/RNA and protein detection require different assay workflows to be performed. This demands multiple assay workflows to be performed for multi-bioanalyte analysis, leading to prolonged analysis time for results and high assay running costs. In particular, the typical enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for protein detection generally requires at least a two-day workflow and has limited detection sensitivity.

You will be based at The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR) where you will have access to appropriate facilities and laboratory equipment required for molecular biology experimental work. Through the Principal Advisor’s established collaboration, you will have access to molecular characterization facilities and expertise at one of one of Australia’s leading nanotechnology research institutes, AIBN.

You will benefit from strong cross-disciplinary mentorship and support at UQCCR across the fields of molecular biology, analytical chemistry, biomedical nanotechnology and clinical science. Particularly, urosurgeon researcher A/Prof Matthew Roberts will serve as Associate Supervisor, ensuring strong clinical research and translation focus.

The Advisory Team aims to provide a supportive high-level research environment for the prospective PhD candidate to flourish. This PhD project will provide opportunities to achieve significant research outputs and skills for a scientific career in academia/industry upon graduating.

This is an Earmarked scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.

The scholarship includes:

• living stipend of $35,000 per annum tax free (2024 rate), indexed annually
• your tuition fees covered
• single overseas student health cover (OSHC).

Learn more about the Earmarked scholarship.

You must contact the principal supervisor for this project to discuss your interest. You should only complete the online application after you have reached agreement on supervision.

Always make sure you are approaching your potential supervisor in a professional way. We have provided some guidelines for you on how to contact a supervisor.

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 nucleic acid analysis techniques (eg. PCR/NGS) and/or clinical sample handling would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of molecular biology, bioassay development and/or prostate cancer and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of molecular biology, assay development, prostate cancer is highly desirable.

This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 2, 2025. To allow time for your application to be processed, we recommend applying no later than 31 December, 2024 30 September, 2024.

You can start in an earlier research quarter. See application dates.

Before you apply

1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
2. Prepare your documentation.
3. Contact Dr Kevin Koo (m.koo@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability.

When you apply

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a PhD. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.

In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:

• My higher degree is not collaborative
• I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship
• UQ Earmarked Scholarship type.

Apply now