Identifying Genetic and Molecular Markers of Early-stage Lung Cancer in Vape Users at Birmingham City University

Project Description:

The link between smoking and lung cancer is one that has been known and studied for decades in the scientific community. The development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease is also a clear outcome of chronic cigarette smoking. It is therefore interesting how the molecular pathways involved the progression from COPD to lung cancer are still not comprehensively defined. The increased use of electronic cigarettes has opened an additional gap in understanding how significant the delivery of nicotine and cigarette by-products are to the lungs and how these can influence the onset and the progression of lung cancer from COPD.   

Anticipated Findings and Contribution to Knowledge: The link(s) between vaping, COPD and lung cancer are currently not understood and have not been established. It is suspected however, that the components of electronic cigarettes (diacetyl, formaldehyde, acrolein etc.) are also involved in the development of chronic degenerative lung conditions such as bronchiolitis obliterans, lipoid pneumonia and pneumonothorax. The project is expected to contribute new important knowledge to a field in respiratory research that has only opened in the last few years and is focusing on the use of electronic cigarettes as a smoking alternative. The overlap of the genetic susceptibility between COPD and lung cancer that will be investigated in vaping and smoking lung epithelial cells as well as in lung biopsies is expected to provide vital insights into the nature of the progression of chronic respiratory disorders to cancer and in addition suggest candidates genes and proteins for therapeutic and preventative interventions.  

Contact (and Director of Studies for this project): Professor Loukia Tsaprouni

Fees and Funding

The studentships will follow Birmingham City University’s ‘PhD Classic’ Doctoral Training Grant funding model.

PhD Classic studentships consist of two elements:

1. A tax-free stipend for living expenses at the same rate as UK Research Council funded studentships (£18,622 a year for 2023/24) for up to three years, full time.
2. A full-time home fees studentship (£4,712 for 2023-24) for up to three years.

Closing date is: 23:59 on 30 September 2023