Instead of using high homogenous radiation doses aiming to kill all cancer cells in an irradiated tumor, we will use spatially fractionated radiation, so-called minibeams, to irradiate only parts of the tumor using different patterns. An advantage of minibeams is that the normal tissues receive much less dose and around the minibeams will be unirradiated tissues that aid the healing. The main advantage in our context is that we don't irradiate the immune cells in the tumor, which we need to activate the anti-tumor immune response. This is a new paradigm, where we do not aim to kill the tumor with radiation, but to use radiation to make the immune system "see" the tumor cells (which are normally hiding) and kill them. In this way we can kill not only the cancer cells in the irradiated tumor, but also metastases. For this effect we have discovered that particle radiation is better than X-rays. We are at the moment using protons, but are planning to also include helium ions.
The lab-work will mainly be (cancer) cell irradiations at the cyclotron at UiO, at the proton center at OUS, or in our facilities in Dresden and Berlin. We will measure different immune signals using molecular techniques such as flow cytometry, ELISA, or western blotting. We can also include microscopy with image analysis (AI). In addition, accurate dosimetry is important for our results, and Monte Carlo simulations can also be part of the project if the student is interested.
1. semester: 1. Learn the different experimental methods using X-ray irradiation. 2. Particle irradiations. These depend on beam time and are done in collaboration with other students and staff.
2. semester: Last experiments, data analysis, and writing.
We don't require any particular courses, but recommend FYS3700.
FYS4720 and FYS4711 will give you all the theoretical background you need.