The main supervisor – Professor Colin Cooper

It is fixed that bacteria can cause human cancer, for example, Helicobacter Pelori involved in the development of stomach cancer and the producing bacteria of Colibactin that think about urging colon and rectum cancer. In contrast, the pathogens of prostate cancer are largely unknown, except that genetics and sweat are components. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men all over the world and 397,000 men die every year, with weak infection with black men compared to Caucasian men. From urine and prostate studies, we recently identified a collection of five anaerobic bacteria, known as the biological signs of anaerobic bacteria (ABBS), which, when they are, are linked to the development of aggressive prostate cancer (1). This doctorate revolves around the investigation whether the presence of ABBS bacteria directly causes the development of prostate cancer. Seven possible methods can be described by the anaerobic bacteria specified in cancer, including the cause of DNA damage, the adjustment of the immune system, the effect on cellular control paths (2) (https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.001817). The candidate will investigate these mechanisms and/or other possible mechanisms to determine whether individual bacteria can start specific mechanisms to cause cancer. The project is related to the work that was implemented as part of the prostate cancer group (https://panprostate.org/An international consortium includes nine countries worldwide.

Possible effect

This research will provide evidence of how the anaerobic bacteria specified in the development of prostate cancer. This information will support the creation of a clinical trial where antimicrobial agents are used to prevent the development of prostate cancer, which leads to significant improvements in the lives of a large number of men.

Technologies and skills training

During the doctorate, you will become an expert in a group of molecular biological techniques, biochemistry, cells and cancer. For example, the culture of anaerobic bacteria and common infection models of human cells; Cell tests, cancer invasion and immigration. Elisa, quantum PCR, DNA damage, immune chemistry and fluorescent. You will gain experience in research skills in cancer biology, cancerous brain and methyl, microbiology and pathogenic infections. There is also an opportunity to train in vital informatics with internal guidance.

About the laboratory department

It will be part of the Cancer Heredit Science in Norwich Medical College, a multidisciplinary team that includes a mixture of biomedists, laboratory -based scientists and doctors. We have widespread interest in molecular studies based on translation cancer in order to improve patient care, with a close association with Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. Most prostate cancer, when they are diagnosed, are not only a small percentage of aggressive diseases. The general topic of laboratory work is the development of vital indicators and the classification that can be used to identify aggressive prostate cancer, in addition to understanding the development of the disease and benefiting from the mechanisms of disease prevention.

Entry requirements

This project will suit the candidates with great motives with:

• The background in molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology and/or cancer research, or biomalia for cancer.
• UK masters, or a bachelor’s degree (minimum 2: 1) in biological sciences, biochemistry, applied biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences or discipline linked to a force, or equivalent qualifications outside the United Kingdom

Start date: February 1, 2026