Fc Engineering to target anti-tumour efficacy

The Biologics market and monoclonal antibodies (mAb) in particular represent the fastest growing sector of the pharmaceutical industry with global revenues of > £25 billion. Critical for their further development is a deeper understanding of their mode(s) of action coupled to improved technologies which will deliver ever safer and more efficacious agents. Our industrial partner, UCB is developing novel mAb-based medicines across a broad range of therapeutic areas including inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. UCB also has considerable expertise in antibody technologies including their engineering and expression. Key to their future development of the next generation of improved reagents is an understanding of how immune effector mechanisms such as complement and Fc receptors are engaged at the target cell surface in vivo. This project will employ novel technologies designed to more effectively target the immune effector responses to the desired target on cancer cells. It will involve the development and exploration of novel antibody platforms and technologies using molecular biology, protein engineering, cutting-edge immunoassays and in vivo models, ultimately facilitating the development of better treatments.

The student will receive training in a variety of methodologies both at UCB and Southampton including molecular biology, antibody expression and purification, flow cytometry, tissue culture, in-vivo models and will benefit from academic and industrial supervision. Finally, this project will give a 'real life' experience outside academia and create a better appreciation of the translational and commercial value of research.