Investigating the role of the microbiome in obesity-driven colorectal cancer development

Project Code

MRCPHS25Br Wade

Research Theme

Population Health Sciences

Project Summary Download

Summary

Alarmingly, the incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is increasing rapidly in the UK. This rise may be, in part, attributable to obesity but exactly how obesity might impact CRC is largely unknown. There is therefore an urgent need to understand this relationship to identify novel targets for prevention to reduce the burden of CRC, and particularly EOCRC, worldwide. This project is about understanding how changes to the microbiome, driven by obesity, might be driving CRC development. The student will develop and use an interdisciplinary skill set in genetic epidemiology and cancer cell biology to investigate this research question.

Lead Supervisor

Dr Kaitlin Wade

Lead Supervisor Email

kaitlin.wade@bristol.ac.uk

University Affiliation

Bristol