Pancreatology MD

University of Liverpool

Undertake research that offers the opportunity to make significant impact in the field of pancreatic disease with our Pancreatology research degree. You’ll explore the application of molecular and/or computational approaches to the study of disease mechanisms and treatment strategies that impact upon medicine and ultimately patient outcomes.The Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology (ISMIB) was established to integrate cutting-edge basic research with clinical research from across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. Pancreatology is one of Liverpool’s recognised strengths with scientific expertise in Pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis and strong clinical and science leadership. Our Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine is the centre for large European pancreas studies aimed at examining the benefits of chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer. Research topicsResearch topics where the focus of your PhD could align with the research interests and expertise of our academic staff include:Working to identify the underlying genetic cause of cancer in patients. In young patients with hereditary pancreatitis and idiopathic pancreatitis, we’re trialling novel treatments to inhibit or minimise the frequency or severity of the attacksUnderstanding the relationship between new-onset diabetes and pancreatic cancer, (single-cell RNA sequencing and GeoMx spatial transcriptomic analysis)Working towards developing a biomarker-based screening strategy for early detection of pancreatic cancer in individuals with new-onset diabetes within the UK health-care systemClinical trials aimed at determining the overall benefits of current treatments and evaluating the benefits of newly emerging treatments for pancreatic cancerGrowing pancreatic cancer cells and organoids in the laboratory, investigating factors that make them more susceptible to drugs that could be offered to patientsClinical studies and non-human or non-clinical studies conducted with the intent to advance therapies to the clinic or develop principles for application of therapeutics to human diseaseInvestigations in humans which define the biology of disease and provide the scientific foundation for the development of new or improved therapies for human disease.