Microphysiological culture of paediatric low-grade glioma: A key step towards precision therapy

About the project

Diminish the side effects of cancer treatment

If you are eager to kickstart your career in biomedical engineering and motivated to progress treatments for childhood cancers, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based PhD within the Future Industries Institute (FII), in partnership with the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Pediatric low-grade glioma (pLGG) is a common type of childhood cancer, accounting for about 40% of all central nervous system tumours in children. Current treatment algorithms have good response rates, with a 90% long-term survival. But treatment often results in significant, life-long side effects.

Recent understanding of the molecular features of pLGG has led to the identification of promising new precision treatments but clinical trialling in this patient population is difficult, slow and expensive. It is therefore a top priority to develop preclinical models recapitulating the key molecular features of pLGG.

The main challenge of developing such models is that, unlike more aggressive brain tumour, pLGG tumour cells are very difficult to grow in vitro. Their growth also strongly depends on a supportive microenvironment. To date, no preclinical models satisfactorily recapitulate the key features of pLGG relevant to treatment screening.

Our project will develop, characterise and validate a microfluidic perfusion approach that enables the long-term culture of pLGG organotypic tissue slices. 

You will be based within the FII. This world-class research institute will provide you with access to state-of-the-art equipment, resources and facilities. You will benefit from a collegial and supportive environment and mentorship from thought leaders in their field. The highly networked and collaborative centre will help you thrive in your research and help you build a strong professional network.

What you’ll do

In this project-based research degree, you will employ microfabrication technologies to fabricate a perfusion device enabling long-term culture of pLGG tissue slices.

You will be guided in how to undertake comprehensive serial molecular phenotyping of the pLGG tissues to identify culture conditions supporting the viability of tumour cells and preserving the tumour microenvironment.

You will also validate the study alongside existing/new treatments.

Where you’ll be based

You will be based in the FII, which partners with industry and the professions to deliver innovation and technological advances to solve real world challenges. With research strengths across five sectors that cross disciplines from biomaterials engineering to minerals processing, FII creates local and global impact.

Our research degree students partner with industry and end-users to develop their skills and relevant career experience and our state-of-the-art facilities support research growth and expertise.

We work with SME’s via the Institute’s Testlab and provide R&D services that support industry challenges which is part of our $80million of infrastructure that consists specialised laboratories and equipment. Financial Support 

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $35,200 per annum is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents of Australia, including permanent humanitarian visa holders. Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be eligible to receive an increased stipend rate of $52,352 per annum (2025 rate). A fee-offset or waiver for the standard term of the program is also included. For full terms and benefits of the scholarship please refer to our scholarship information. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Eligibility and Selection

This project is open to applications from Australian or New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents or permanent humanitarian visa holders. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD. 

Additionally, applicants must meet the project selection criteria: 

• Knowledge of both mechanical engineering (including advanced technology for design and fabrication such as SolidWorks CAD) and biology.

All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project. A merit selection process will be used to determine the successful candidate.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and to be based at our Mawson Lakes campus in the north of Adelaide. 

Essential Dates 

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Wednesday, 28 May, 2025.