byDinesh
Updated on - 2 Jul, 2024
Ph.D. in Cancer Biology is a terminal level academic and research program with focus on the intricate mechanisms of human cancer. This program is designed to offer students a comprehensive knowledge of areas such as molecular biology of cancer, tumor immunology, mechanisms of metastasis, genetics of cancer, and cancer stem-cells etc. The course structure of Ph.D. in Cancer Biology are generally of four to six years that includes course work, research work, and preparation of thesis. Some programs also have a qualifying exam which the students are supposed to sit for at different program levels before they are allowed to continue with the program.
Several graduate school entrance examinations accepted for admission into the Ph.D. Cancer Biology programs include GRE and TOEFL or IELTS for international candidates. Several most popular ranked cancer biology Ph.D. programs: High GRE quant scores, strong background in core sciences. Another aspect by which the admission is carried out is by letters of recommendation and the research experience. There might also be few of the leading Institutes that may conduct their own written tests before extending admission.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy (Cancer Biology) |
| Duration | 4-6 years (full-time), may vary depending on the program |
| Course Level | Doctoral Level |
| Eligibility | Master's degree in a life science field (Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, etc.) with a strong foundation in cell and molecular biology |
| Top Universities (World) | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University, Stanford University, University of Cambridge |
| Top Institutes (India) | Indian Institute of Science (IISc), National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) with Biology programs |
1. Academic qualifications: Recent graduation from a bachelor’s programme in biology or related area with good grades. It is also necessary to complete the courses in biology, chemistry, biochemistry.
2. Other required documents may include GRE, TOEFL, and letters of recommendation for admission.
3. Internship experience is however preferred, or any undergraduate research experience. Academic research ability and capability were evidenced.
4. The statement of purpose is used to explain why the candidate has interests in the areas of research and how the proposed research aligns with the research areas in the department and possible advisors. Specific and strong reasons why a PhD should be sought.
5. Most of them involve interviews and selection from the transcripts of academic performance, scores, research potential, and communication abilities, and compatibility with the program.
6. Minimum of a conditional offer of an acceptance and funding from a faculty advisor with similar research interest who is willing to supervise the PhD research work.
| Subject | Important Topics |
|---|---|
| Cellular and Molecular Hallmarks of Cancer | Hallmarks of cancer (self-sufficiency in growth signals, insensitivity to anti-growth signals, evasion of programmed cell death, limitless replicative potential, sustained angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis, tumor-promoting inflammation, deregulating cellular metabolism, avoiding immune destruction, genome instability and mutation), Cell cycle regulation and cancer, Signal transduction pathways in cancer, Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes |
| Cancer Genetics and Genomics | Tumor biology and genetics, DNA damage and repair mechanisms, Cancer epigenetics, Genome sequencing and analysis in cancer research, Bioinformatics and computational biology in cancer |
| Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis | The role of the tumor microenvironment in cancer progression, Angiogenesis and metastasis, Cancer stem cells, The immune response to cancer |
| Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment | Traditional and novel cancer diagnostic methods, Biomarkers in cancer, Cancer therapies (surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy), Drug resistance in cancer |
| Cancer Research Methods | Research methodologies in cancer biology (cell culture, animal models, molecular biology techniques, bioinformatics), Grant writing and scientific communication |
| Elective Courses (Depending on the University) | Cancer Cell Metabolism, Cancer Virology, Cancer and Stem Cells, Cancer and the Microenvironment, Pediatric Cancer Biology, Cancer Epidemiology |
| Specialization | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Cancer Cell Biology | Postdoctoral Researcher, Cancer Research Scientist, Assistant Professor (Cancer Biology) | $60,000 - $100,000+ |
| Cancer Genetics and Genomics | Genomic Data Analyst, Cancer Genetics Counselor, Clinical Research Scientist (Oncology) | $70,000 - $120,000+ |
| Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis | Tumor Microenvironment Researcher, Immunotherapy Research Scientist, Cancer Metastasis Specialist | $65,000 - $110,000+ |
| Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment | Biomarker Development Scientist, Clinical Trial Manager (Oncology), Pharmaceutical Scientist (Cancer Therapeutics) | $75,000 - $130,000+ |
| Cancer Therapeutics | Drug Discovery Scientist (Cancer), Chemotherapy Research Scientist, Cancer Treatment Specialist (Pharmaceutical Company) | $80,000 - $140,000+ |