PhD Scholarship: Cancer Immunotherapy: Join the Department of Physics at the University of Florence for a groundbreaking PhD opportunity under the supervision of Prof. Francesco Piazza. This scholarship offers a unique chance to delve into the realm of computational biology and physics to design innovative multi-specific nanobodies for imaging and immunotherapy of hard-to-treat cancers.
PhD Scholarship Opportunity: Computational Design of Multi-Specific Nanobodies for Cancer Immunotherapy
Summary Table:
- Location: University of Florence, Italy
- Start Date: November 1, 2024
- Duration: 3 years
- Qualifications: Master’s degree in physics, chemistry, computational biology, or equivalent
- Application Deadline: October 31, 2024
Eligibility/Qualification: Applicants should possess a Master’s degree in physics, chemistry, computational biology, or a related field by October 31, 2024.
Description: Many cancers possess membrane receptors that are challenging to target using conventional therapeutic antibodies. This scholarship focuses on developing computational methods to design multi-specific, multivalent artificial antibodies by conjugating different nanobodies. Nanobodies, fragments of antibodies found in camelids, offer promising advantages due to their high selectivity and improved tissue permeability compared to conventional antibodies. The project involves molecular dynamics simulations and artificial intelligence techniques to design these complex molecules. Collaborating with MCK THERAPEUTICS, the project aims to develop novel molecules for hard-to-treat cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer and pancreatic cancer.
This project includes a 6-month stage at MCK THERAPEUTICS in Pistoia, Italy, where the candidate will contribute to molecule development and gain hands-on experience. Additionally, there will be a 6-month stage in Marseille, France, collaborating with the Laboratory Adhesion Inflammation (LAI) and the Centre de recherche en cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM).
How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit their applications, including a CV, academic transcripts, a statement of purpose outlining research interests and relevant experience, and contact details of two referees, to [email address] by October 31, 2024.
Last Date for Apply: October 31, 2024
Don’t miss out on this exceptional opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in cancer immunotherapy and computational biology. Apply now and embark on a journey towards revolutionizing cancer treatment.
