thesis acknowledgement pets

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Dissertation
• Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples

Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples

Published on May 3, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on July 18, 2023.

The acknowledgements section is your opportunity to thank those who have helped and supported you personally and professionally during your thesis or dissertation process.

Thesis or dissertation acknowledgements appear between your title page and abstract  and should be no longer than one page.

In your acknowledgements, it’s okay to use a more informal style than is usually permitted in academic writing , as well as first-person pronouns . Acknowledgements are not considered part of the academic work itself, but rather your chance to write something more personal.

To get started, download our step-by-step template in the format of your choice below. We’ve also included sample sentence starters to help you construct your acknowledgments section from scratch.

Download Word doc Download Google doc

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

Who to thank in your acknowledgements, how to write acknowledgements, acknowledgements section example, acknowledgements dos and don’ts, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the acknowledgements section.

Generally, there are two main categories of acknowledgements: professional and personal .

A good first step is to check your university’s guidelines, as they may have rules or preferences about the order, phrasing, or layout of acknowledgements. Some institutions prefer that you keep your acknowledgements strictly professional.

Regardless, it’s usually a good idea to place professional acknowledgements first, followed by any personal ones. You can then proceed by ranking who you’d like to thank from most formal to least.

• Chairs, supervisors, or defense committees
• Funding bodies
• Other academics (e.g., colleagues or cohort members)
• Editors or proofreaders
• Librarians, research/laboratory assistants, or study participants
• Family, friends, or pets

Typically, it’s only necessary to mention people who directly supported you during your thesis or dissertation. However, if you feel that someone like a high school physics teacher was a great inspiration on the path to your current research, feel free to include them as well.

Professional acknowledgements

It is crucial to avoid overlooking anyone who helped you professionally as you completed your thesis or dissertation. As a rule of thumb, anyone who directly contributed to your research process, from figuring out your dissertation topic to your final proofread, should be mentioned.

A few things to keep in mind include:

• Even if you feel your chair didn’t help you very much, you should still thank them first to avoid looking like you’re snubbing them.
• Be sure to follow academic conventions, using full names with titles where appropriate.
• If several members of a group or organization assisted you, mention the collective name only.
• Remember the ethical considerations around anonymized data. If you wish to protect someone’s privacy, use only their first name or a generic identifier (such as “the interviewees”)/

Personal acknowledgements

There is no need to mention every member of your family or friend group. However, if someone was particularly inspiring or supportive, you may wish to mention them specifically. Many people choose to thank parents, partners, children, friends, and even pets, but you can mention anyone who offered moral support or encouragement, or helped you in a tangible or intangible way.

Some students may wish to dedicate their dissertation to a deceased influential person in their personal life. In this case, it’s okay to mention them first, before any professional acknowledgements.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

After you’ve compiled a list of who you’d like to thank, you can then sort your list into rank order. Separate everyone you listed into “major thanks,” “big thanks,” and “minor thanks” categories.

• “Major thanks” are given to people who your project would be impossible without. These are often predominantly professional acknowledgements, such as your advisor, chair, and committee, as well as any funders.
• “Big thanks” are an in-between, for those who helped you along the way or helped you grow intellectually, such as classmates, peers, or librarians.
• “Minor thanks” can be a catch-all for everyone else, especially those who offered moral support or encouragement. This can include personal acknowledgements, such as parents, partners, children, friends, or even pets.

How to phrase your acknowledgements

To avoid acknowledgements that sound repetitive or dull, consider changing up your phrasing. Here are some examples of common sentence starters you can use for each category.

Note that you do not need to write any sort of conclusion or summary at the end. You can simply end the acknowledgements with your last thank you.

Here’s an example of how you can combine the different sentences to write your acknowledgements.

A simple construction consists of a sentence starter (in purple highlight ), followed by the person or entity mentioned (in green highlight ), followed by what you’re thanking them for (in yellow highlight .)

Acknowledgements

Words cannot express my gratitude to my professor and chair of my committee for her invaluable patience and feedback. I also could not have undertaken this journey without my defense committee, who generously provided knowledge and expertise. Additionally, this endeavor would not have been possible without the generous support from the MacArthur Foundation, who financed my research .

I am also grateful to my classmates and cohort members, especially my office mates, for their editing help, late-night feedback sessions, and moral support. Thanks should also go to the librarians, research assistants, and study participants from the university, who impacted and inspired me.

Lastly, I would be remiss in not mentioning my family, especially my parents, spouse, and children. Their belief in me has kept my spirits and motivation high during this process. I would also like to thank my cat for all the entertainment and emotional support.

• Write in first-person, professional language
• Thank your professional contacts first
• Include full names, titles, and roles of professional acknowledgements
• Include personal or intangible supporters, like friends, family, or even pets
• Mention funding bodies and what they funded
• Appropriately anonymize or group research participants or non-individual acknowledgments

Don’t:

• Use informal language or slang
• Go over one page in length
• Mention people who had only a peripheral or minor impact on your work

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

See an example

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

Research bias

• Anchoring bias
• Halo effect
• The Baader–Meinhof phenomenon
• The placebo effect
• Nonresponse bias
• Deep learning
• Generative AI
• Machine learning
• Reinforcement learning
• Supervised vs. unsupervised learning

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

In the acknowledgements of your thesis or dissertation, you should first thank those who helped you academically or professionally, such as your supervisor, funders, and other academics.

Then you can include personal thanks to friends, family members, or anyone else who supported you during the process.

Yes, it’s important to thank your supervisor(s) in the acknowledgements section of your thesis or dissertation .

Even if you feel your supervisor did not contribute greatly to the final product, you must acknowledge them, if only for a very brief thank you. If you do not include your supervisor, it may be seen as a snub.

The acknowledgements are generally included at the very beginning of your thesis , directly after the title page and before the abstract .

In a thesis or dissertation, the acknowledgements should usually be no longer than one page. There is no minimum length.

You may acknowledge God in your dissertation acknowledgements , but be sure to follow academic convention by also thanking the members of academia, as well as family, colleagues, and friends who helped you.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

George, T. (2023, July 18). Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved August 21, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/acknowledgements/

Is this article helpful?

Tegan George

Other students also liked, dissertation layout and formatting, thesis & dissertation title page | free templates & examples, how to write an abstract | steps & examples, what is your plagiarism score.

How to write a unique thesis acknowledgement (+ FAQs)

Crafting a thesis acknowledgement is typically one of the final steps in completing a thesis. This post aims to assist you in gaining insights and guidance by addressing common questions related to thesis acknowledgements. By doing so, it enables you to create a distinct and meaningful acknowledgment section that reflects your gratitude and appreciation.

What is a thesis acknowledgement?

Do i need a thesis acknowledgement.

While a thesis acknowledgement is typically not a mandatory requirement, omitting it might not be seen positively. Writing a thesis almost always involves some form of assistance or support, whether from a supervisor, family, or friends.

Who should I thank in my thesis acknowledgment?

The thesis acknowledgement offers flexibility, but thanking your thesis supervisor/s is an absolute must—non-negotiable. It would be highly unusual to omit their appreciation.

Apart from these essentials, you have the freedom to thank anyone you desire. Common mentions include parents, partners, friends, peers, and colleagues. Some may even extend gratitude to pets or coffee! Injecting humor is acceptable, but maintaining a certain level of formality is advised, as explained in the subsequent section.

How to deal with a thesis supervisor with whom I had a challenging relationship in my thesis acknowledgement?

How can i make my thesis acknowledgement uniquely personal.

Once you have decided whom to thank in your thesis acknowledgement, consider going beyond generic expressions of gratitude. Making your acknowledgements more personal and specific can make them truly special. Instead of simply thanking someone for their guidance and support, include examples that highlight the unique contributions of those individuals.

By providing concrete examples, your acknowledgements become more heartfelt and memorable, showing the genuine impact of each person you thank.

How formal should a thesis acknowledgement be?

Remember that your thesis is an academic work, and the acknowledgement should not detract from its academic merit. Focus on expressing gratitude to those who contributed to your academic journey in a professional and appropriate manner.

To what extent should I express personal sentiments in my thesis acknowledgement?

And of course make sure that the information you reveal about the people you thank, they are also comfortable with it. You should not, for instance, describe your messy breakup with a person and even worse naming the person by name. Instead, you can write something more neutral in a way that people who know you well still know what you mean. For instance, you could thank your friends for always being there for you during challenging times, which you are grateful for.

How should I structure my thesis acknowledgement?

The second approach involves structuring the acknowledgement based on the nature of relationships, ranging from formal to personal. Here, you begin by expressing thanks to your formal supervisors and professors who played a significant role in shaping your research, then move on to more informal yet professional mentors. Subsequently, you extend your gratitude to friends, family, and, if applicable, your partner or spouse.

How long should a thesis acknowledgement be?

For bachelor or master theses, the average length typically ranges from 100 to 250 words, equivalent to about half a page.

PhD thesis acknowledgements, on the other hand, tend to be longer, given the extended duration of PhD research. The average length for a PhD thesis acknowledgement ranges from 250 to 1000 words, or approximately half a page to 2 pages.

Where is the thesis acknowledgement located?

When formatting your document, it’s advisable to insert blank pages to maintain a proper layout in the printed version, especially when double-paged printing is used. To achieve this layout, page 1 is reserved for the title page, page 2 is often left empty, and page 3 contains the thesis acknowledgement. Additionally, page four is frequently left blank as well. This arrangement enhances the reading experience of the printed version and provides a more polished appearance to the document.

Where can I find examples of thesis acknowledgements?

Master academia, get new content delivered directly to your inbox, how to thrive in academia as an extrovert, how to end a professional email in a university setting, related articles, how to write a literature review introduction (+ examples), better thesis writing with the pomodoro® technique, why you cannot write a phd thesis in 3-6 months, how to prepare your viva opening speech.

Acknowledgements For Thesis Examples: Just Copy & Edit!

Writing acknowledgements for your thesis is an opportunity to express gratitude to those who have supported your academic journey.

This section, often overlooked, is where you can personally thank everyone from advisors and peers to family members who’ve provided both professional and emotional support.

This article provides structured examples and essential tips to help you craft meaningful acknowledgements, ensuring you appropriately recognise the contributions of all who aided your research and writing process.

How To Write Thesis Acknowledgements

What Is An Acknowledgement?

What is a thesis acknowledgement, and why do people write them?

The acknowledgement section of your thesis or dissertation is an integral part of academic tradition. Here, you have the unique opportunity to thank those who have significantly contributed to your research project.

This section typically appears right after the abstract and before the table of contents in your thesis , placing it prominently at the beginning of your document.

In a thesis acknowledgement , you extend your sincere thanks to everyone who played an important role in your academic journey. These could include you:

• Family members
• Funders, or 
• Supervisor.

Writing this section allows you to reflect on the collaborative nature of academic work and ensures that everyone who contributed feels appreciated.

Whether it’s the direct help from your research team or the moral support from loved ones, acknowledging these contributions shows your gratitude and recognises their importance in your successful completion of the thesis.

How To Write Acknowledgement Section For Thesis Or Dissertation?

Writing the acknowledgement section in your thesis or dissertation can feel like a breath of fresh air after the rigorous academic writing you’ve been steeped in.

Here’s a step-by-step approach that ensures you acknowledge all who contributed.

Step One: Start with Professional Acknowledgements

Your first move should be to thank your supervisor or dissertation advisor. This person likely had the most direct impact on your research and might also be involved in evaluating your thesis.

Mention any other academic staff who supported you. These could be anyone really, but usually include:

• librarians,
• lab technicians, or

Step Two: Acknowledge Academic Peers and Collaborators

Next, consider your peers, fellow researchers, or any collaborative partners.

If someone from your research team or another student contributed significantly, mention them by name and describe their input.

A typical line could be, “I like to acknowledge John Smith for his insightful contributions to the data analysis phase of this project.”

Step Three: Mention Funding Sources and Research Participants

If your research was funded by a grant or scholarship, acknowledging these sources is crucial.

You don’t need to delve into the specifics of the financials but do mention the organisation and how it supported your work. 

If your project involved participants who contributed data or other valuable information, they should also be recognised here.

Step Four: Include Personal Acknowledgements

After the more formal citations, you can get a bit more personal. Thank friends and family who offered emotional support or even practical help, like proofreading drafts of your paper.

If you feel it’s fitting, you can also thank those who provided less tangible forms of support, such as inspiration or encouragement during challenging times.

Here, a more informal tone is acceptable. You might say, “I am immensely grateful to my family for their unwavering belief in my abilities and endless patience.”

Step Five: Consider Any Unusual Helpers

In some cases, people include acknowledgements of their pets for companionship or even places that offered a conducive environment for writing.

This should be brief but can add a charming touch to your acknowledgements, reflecting your personality.

Step Six: Review for Order and Tone

Revisit the order of your acknowledgements after drafting them.

The typical hierarchy goes from the most formal to the least, but your personal style and the nature of your project might influence this.

Ensure the tone remains respectful and professional but also warm where appropriate.

Step Seven: Conform to Your University’s Guidelines

Before finalising, check your university’s guidelines for the thesis format. Some institutions have specific requirements for the acknowledgements section concerning its placement or maximum length.

This step ensures your thesis complies with all formal requirements and respects academic protocols.

Step Eight: Proofread and Edit

Finally, proofread your acknowledgements carefully. Errors here, although less critical than in your main academic text, can still distract or give a poor impression.

You might ask a friend or family member to read through this section—they might remind you of someone you’ve overlooked!

The acknowledgement section, while less formal, is a significant part of your thesis. It not only allows you to thank those who supported you but also shows your ability to appreciate and recognise the contributions of others. 

It’s your opportunity to reflect on the collaborative efforts that have shaped your academic endeavour.

Acknowledgements For Thesis Example

If you want something that you can use right away, here’s a template for writing a thesis acknowledgement.

This template encapsulates all the steps and recommendations you might need to craft a heartfelt and professional section in your dissertation:

Acknowledgements

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, [SUPERVISOR NAME], for her unwavering guidance and expert advice throughout the course of this research. Her insights and dedication have been pivotal to the success of this project.

I am also grateful to the members of the faculty, [FACULTY MEMBER NAME] and [FACULTY MEMBER NAME], whose expertise in my area of study greatly enriched my work. My thanks extend as well to the library staff at [UNIVERSITY NAME] and the laboratory technicians, especially [NAME], for their invaluable assistance.

Special thanks are due to my colleagues and fellow researchers, particularly [NAME] and [NAME], for their collaboration and the critical role they played in data collection and analysis. Their perspectives and rigor helped shape many of the project’s most crucial phases.

I acknowledge the financial support I received from [NAME OF GRANT OR SCHOLARSHIP], which was essential in facilitating my research. I am also thankful to all the participants who willingly shared their experiences and data, contributing immeasurably to the findings of this study.

On a more personal note, I would also like to thank my family for their love and encouragement. To my parents, [NAME(S)], thank you for your endless patience and support. My siblings, [NAME(S)], provided not just relief from the stresses of academic life, but also eagerly participated in brainstorming sessions. I am immensely grateful for every moment of comfort and motivation that they provided.

I would like to thank my dog, [NAME] who was always by my side during those long nights of writing and revising. His presence brought a sense of calm and companionship that was more helpful than he might realise.

As I conclude this section, I reflect on the journey that was made easier through the support and encouragement from each individual mentioned, and many unmentioned. Each of you played an important role in making not just this thesis, but my entire educational experience at [UNIVERSITY NAME] both possible and memorable.

This template follows a structured yet personal approach, allowing for the expression of sincere gratitude while adhering to academic norms.

It’s important to adapt this template to fit the specifics of your situation, the contributions of each individual you wish to thank, and any guidelines provided by your university.

Remember, this section not only recognises the support you’ve received but also reflects your appreciation for the collaborative effort involved in your academic achievements.

Thesis Acknowledgements Examples Explored

In crafting your thesis acknowledgements, you celebrate the collaborative spirit of your academic journey. 

This guide ensures that you eloquently express gratitude to those who’ve shaped your scholarly pursuits—from mentors and colleagues to family and friends. 

By following these structured steps and adapting them to your personal and institutional requirements, you create an acknowledgements section that not only meets formal standards but also reflects your heartfelt appreciation for the support you’ve received.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

Thank you for visiting Academia Insider.

We are here to help you navigate Academia as painlessly as possible. We are supported by our readers and by visiting you are helping us earn a small amount through ads and affiliate revenue - Thank you!

2024 © Academia Insider

Reference management. Clean and simple.

Dissertation acknowledgments [with examples]

What are dissertation acknowledgements?

What to consider when writing your dissertation acknowledgments, who to thank in your dissertation acknowledgments, what (and what not) to write in your dissertation acknowledgments, good examples of dissertation acknowledgments, a final word on writing dissertation acknowledgments: have fun, frequently asked questions about dissertation acknowledgments, related articles.

While you may be the sole author of your dissertation, there are lots of people who help you through the process—from your formal dissertation advisors to the friends who may have cooked meals so that you could finish your last chapter . Dissertation acknowledgments are a chance to thank everyone who had a hand in the completion of your project.

Dissertation acknowledgments are a brief statement of your gratitude to advisors, professors, peers, family, and friends for their help and expertise.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• the most important things to consider when you’re writing your dissertation acknowledgments
• who to thank in your dissertation acknowledgments
• what (and what not) to write in your dissertation acknowledgments
• short examples of dissertation acknowledgments

Once you’re at the stage where you’re writing your dissertation acknowledgments, you may be tempted to kick back and relax. After all, the hard part of writing the dissertation itself is over and a list of thanks should be simple to churn out.

However, the acknowledgments are an important part of your overall work and are something that most people who read your dissertation, including prospective employers, will look at.

Tip: The best dissertation acknowledgements are concise, sincere, and memorable.

Approach this part of the process, brief as it may be compared to the long haul of writing the dissertation, with the same high level of care and attention to detail. It’s an explicit and permanent statement of who made a real impact on your work and contributed to your academic success.

Plus, the people you thank are often deeply moved by being included—some even go so far as to frame the acknowledgments. Aim to make yours sincere, memorable and something that people will be touched by.

First things first: who should you include in your dissertation acknowledgments? If you’re not sure who to thank, try the brainstorming technique to generate some ideas. Consider these two approaches:

• Make a list of everyone, both professional and personal, who was involved at any point during your work on your dissertation, and then thin down the list from there.
• Make a list of the pivotal aspects of your process and think about who was involved and how they helped.

As you select the people and groups to include in your dissertation acknowledgments, keep in mind that it’s essential to acknowledge your supervisor and anyone else with a visible connection to your work.

It’s an unfortunate reality that not every supervisor goes above and beyond to provide feedback and guidance to the students they are supposed to supervise. However, leaving them out, even if you personally felt disappointed by their involvement or lack thereof, could be seen as a snub.

You should end up with a fairly short list of people to thank. While being mindful of professional etiquette and personal feelings, be choosy about who makes the final cut since your acknowledgments should be limited to no more than a page.

Now that you have your list of people and groups to thank, it’s time to start writing. Before your first pen or keystroke, however, check your university’s guidelines as your institution may have specific rules around what can and cannot be included.

The standard practice is to begin with the formal and then progress to the informal, so the first people to mention would be:

• supervisors
• committee members
• other professional contacts

Use their full names and titles and go into brief detail about how they contributed to your work.

Once those are done, you can move on to the personal thanks, which can include friends, family, even pets. If you are so inclined, it is also considered appropriate to thank God or make mention of spiritual support.

You may also choose to inject a little humor at this point, but don’t get carried away and definitely don’t include sarcasm or critical comments of any kind, including self-critical ones. Remember that the acknowledgments precede your dissertation, so you want to be taken seriously.

A couple more basics that are essential when creating your acknowledgments:

• Position: Acknowledgments should be placed after the title page and before the abstract.
• Perspective: Write from the first-person perspective and speak in your own voice.

A really good way to get a sense of how to write your own dissertation acknowledgments is to read ones written by others. Notice which ones you respond particularly well to and use them as a model upon which to base your own.

Here are some good examples to help you get started:

I couldn’t have reached this goal without the help of many people in my life. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support.

First, my sincere thanks to my dissertation committee. The value of their guidance cannot be overstated. Dr. Elaine Gooding and Dr. Matthew Hunter provided much wisdom that helped me chart my course. I couldn’t have asked for a better supervisor than Dr. Fiona Moore, whose knowledge and experience guided me every step of the way.

Next, I’d like to thank my partner, Elliott. Your votes of confidence kept me going when my spirits dipped. I couldn’t have done this without you.

Last but not least, I’d like to acknowledge the emotional support provided by my family and friends. We made it to the top of the mountain! I look forward to celebrating with all of you.

This example is shorter, but still contains the key components:

Several people played a decisive role in my success and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them.

My chair, Dr. Ronald Saulk, provided invaluable support and infinite patience and I am truly grateful for all of his wisdom and guidance. I also owe the entire staff of the Wilhelm Library a debt of gratitude. From tracking down books and arranging for interlibrary loans to keeping the coffee maker in the lobby well-stocked and in good working order, they offered the practical help and kind gestures that made all the difference.

I’d also like to thank my family and God, for always being there for me.

One final piece of advice: enjoy this process. Writing a dissertation doesn’t happen every day, and the opportunity to acknowledge the important people in your life in a published format is as rare as it is wonderful.

What’s more, this part of your dissertation is unlike any other. It’s unbounded by the conventions that apply to the formal work. It’s a chance to really flex some creative muscle and let your personality shine through. So make the most of it and have fun!

In your dissertation acknowledgments, you thank everyone who has contributed to your work or supported you along the way. Who you want to thank is a very personal choice, but you should include your supervisors and anyone else with a visible connection to your work. You may also thank friends, family, and partners.

First, you need to come up with a list of people you want to thank in your dissertation acknowledgments. As a next step, begin with the formal and then progress to the informal, so the first people to mention would be supervisors, mentors, committees, and other professional contacts. Then, you can move on to the personal thanks, which can include friends, family, even pets.

Who you acknowledge in your dissertation is ultimately up to you. You should, however, thank your supervisor and anyone else with a visible connection to your work. Leaving them out, even if you personally felt disappointed by their involvement or lack thereof, could be seen as a snub. In addition, you can thank friends, partners or family.

There are many ways so you can acknowledge your dissertation supervisor. Some examples can be found in this article above. If you need more examples, you can find them here .

While acknowledgments are usually more present in academic theses, they can also be a part of research papers. In academic theses, acknowledgments are usually found at the beginning, somewhere between abstract and introduction. In research papers, acknowledgments are usually found at the end of the paper.

Academia Bees

Acknowledgement for Thesis (10 Samples and Writing Tips)

October 22, 2023

No Comments

By Mohsin Khurshid

Acknowledging those who contributed to your thesis is a gracious gesture, reflecting your appreciation for their support, both moral and material. This article delves into the art of crafting a meaningful acknowledgment in your thesis, highlighting its importance, and offering valuable samples.

Table of Contents

• 1 Tips on Writing Acknowledgement for Thesis
• 2.1 Acknowledgement Sample for Thesis
• 2.2 Acknowledgement for Thesis Submission
• 2.3 Acknowledgement for Thesis Report
• 2.4 Beautiful Thesis Acknowledgement
• 2.5 Acknowledging God in Thesis
• 2.6 Funny Thesis Acknowledgement
• 2.7 Acknowledgement in Thesis Writing
• 2.8 Thesis Acknowledgement Sample
• 2.9 Example of Acknowledgement in Thesis
• 2.10 Sample Acknowledgement Letter for Thesis
• 4 Conclusion

Tips on Writing Acknowledgement for Thesis

• Sincerity is Key: Ensure your acknowledgment reflects genuine gratitude.
• Be Specific: Mention names and their roles clearly.
• Professional Tone: Maintain a formal but heartfelt tone.
• Brevity Matters: Keep it concise, focusing on key contributors.

Best Acknowledgement for Thesis Samples

In this article, you’ll find ten meticulously crafted thesis acknowledgment examples, showcasing diverse styles and sentiments to help inspire your own. Whether it’s mentors, family, or colleagues, you’ll discover the perfect way to convey your gratitude.

Acknowledgement Sample for Thesis

I extend my sincere appreciation to everyone who played a role in guiding and supporting me throughout this thesis journey. I owe a special debt of gratitude to my thesis supervisor, Dr. [Supervisor’s Name], whose invaluable insights and guidance were instrumental in shaping this work. Their unwavering dedication to academic excellence was a constant source of motivation.

I must also express my heartfelt thanks to my family and friends who provided me with unwavering emotional support during the ups and downs of this project. Your unwavering belief in me, along with constructive feedback, was essential in navigating the challenges that arose throughout the process.

Acknowledgement for Thesis Submission

As I submit this thesis, it’s only fitting to express my heartfelt gratitude to those who contributed to its realization. My deepest thanks to my thesis advisor, [Advisor’s Name], whose expert guidance and unwavering support made this journey possible. Their dedication to nurturing academic excellence inspired me throughout.

I’m also indebted to my family and friends for the unwavering encouragement and emotional support they provided during this academic endeavor. Their steadfast belief in my abilities carried me through challenging times, and I am deeply appreciative of their contributions to my success.

Acknowledgement for Thesis Report

The completion of this thesis report is a significant milestone, and it wouldn’t have been attainable without the contributions of many. I am profoundly grateful to my thesis supervisor, Dr. [Supervisor’s Name], whose expertise and guidance were critical in the development of this work. Their unwavering commitment to scholarly excellence served as a constant source of inspiration.

I also wish to convey my appreciation to my family and friends for their enduring support and encouragement throughout this journey. Their belief in me provided the motivation to persevere during challenging periods, and I am truly thankful for their unwavering support.

Beautiful Thesis Acknowledgement

In this moment of achievement, it’s essential to express my gratitude to those who made this thesis journey beautiful. I extend my deepest appreciation to my thesis mentor, [Mentor’s Name], whose profound wisdom and continuous support have transformed my academic path. Their unwavering dedication to academic excellence was a shining example.

My heartfelt thanks go out to my family, friends, and loved ones, who have been a source of motivation and joy throughout this thesis project. Your unwavering belief in me, combined with your uplifting presence, painted this journey with beautiful colors and made it truly remarkable.

Acknowledging God in Thesis

As I complete this thesis, I wish to acknowledge the divine presence that guided me throughout this scholarly endeavor. My sincerest gratitude to the Almighty for granting me the strength, wisdom, and determination to bring this work to fruition. I acknowledge the blessings that have enabled me to pursue knowledge and produce this thesis.

Funny Thesis Acknowledgement

Completing this thesis was no easy feat, and I’d like to offer a lighthearted acknowledgment to those who contributed to the humor in this journey. My gratitude goes to my witty friends, who provided comic relief during stressful times, and my family, who managed to lighten the mood when needed. Laughter truly was the best medicine!

Acknowledgement in Thesis Writing

Acknowledging the completion of this thesis is a momentous task, and I want to express my appreciation for everyone who played a role. To begin, I’d like to thank my thesis advisor, [Advisor’s Name], whose expert guidance and patience were invaluable. Their wisdom and insights greatly contributed to the quality of this thesis.

I would also like to extend my gratitude to my colleagues and friends who offered support and encouragement. Their discussions and shared experiences enriched my work, and I’m grateful for their camaraderie.

Thesis Acknowledgement Sample

In writing this thesis, I’ve learned that acknowledgment is a fundamental part of scholarly work. With this sample, I aim to express my thanks to those who influenced and supported me. Firstly, I’m deeply indebted to my thesis supervisor, [Supervisor’s Name], whose unwavering commitment to research excellence has been a guiding light.

Additionally, I would like to acknowledge the contributions of my peers and the resources offered by the university. Their combined efforts have molded this thesis into what it is today.

Example of Acknowledgement in Thesis

For your reference, here’s an example of how acknowledgments can be included in a thesis. I am profoundly thankful to my thesis advisor, [Advisor’s Name], for their invaluable support and mentorship throughout this research journey. Their guidance was instrumental in shaping the research’s direction.

I also appreciate the guidance from my colleagues and the research resources that this institution provided. The synergy of all these factors, including my hard work and dedication, culminated in the completion of this thesis.

Sample Acknowledgement Letter for Thesis

Dear [Advisor’s Name],

I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and guidance throughout the completion of my thesis. Your expertise, patience, and commitment to academic excellence have been a cornerstone of my research journey. Your thoughtful feedback and constant encouragement have not only honed my skills but also enriched the quality of this thesis.

I’d also like to acknowledge the contributions of my fellow researchers and the resources provided by our institution. Their collaborative efforts and the wealth of research materials and opportunities available have significantly influenced the outcome of this thesis.

This acknowledgement extends to my family and friends, whose belief in my abilities and encouragement have provided the emotional sustenance needed to complete this challenging task. Their unwavering support has been my motivation.

With gratitude,

[Your Name]

How to Write Acknowledgement for Thesis?

Writing an acknowledgement for your thesis involves expressing gratitude to the individuals and institutions that supported your research. Start by acknowledging your primary thesis advisor, followed by other mentors, colleagues, and family. Keep it concise and heartfelt, focusing on the contributions and support they provided. Remember to include any funding sources or institutions that aided your research.

What to Put in Acknowledgement Section of Thesis?

In the acknowledgement section of your thesis, you should express gratitude to the people and organizations who contributed to your research. This includes your thesis advisor, mentors, colleagues, and family. Be sure to mention any funding sources, grants, or institutions that supported your work. Keep the acknowledgements concise and focus on the assistance, guidance, and encouragement you received during your research.

What Are Some Thesis Acknowledgement Quotes?

“I can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks.” – William Shakespeare

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.” – Henry Ward Beecher

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” – Eckhart Tolle

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – William Arthur Ward

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

“Acknowledgment is the first step of paying it forward.” – Robert Bach

An acknowledgement of thesis is more than just a formality; it embodies your gratitude and appreciation. As you explore the samples and gather inspiration from the tips provided, remember that thanking those who’ve played a part in your academic journey is not only courteous but also profoundly meaningful.

Acknowledgement to God for Project and Thesis (5 Samples)

Acknowledgement sample for undergraduate thesis (5 samples), leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Thesis Acknowledgements Examples

5 Examples For Your Inspiration

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewers: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | May 2024

The acknowledgements section of your thesis or dissertation is an opportunity to say thanks to all the people who helped you along your research journey. In this post, we’ll share five thesis acknowledgement examples to provide you with some inspiration.

Overview: Acknowledgements Examples

• The acknowledgements 101
• Example:  Formal and professional
• Example:  Warm and personal
• Example:  Challenge-centric
• Example:  Institution-centric
• Example:  Reflective and philosophical
• FREE Acknowledgements template

Acknowledgements 101: The Basics

The acknowledgements section in your thesis or dissertation is where you express gratitude to those who helped bring your project to fruition. This section is typically brief (a page or less) and less formal, but it’s crucial to thank the right individuals in the right order .

As a rule of thumb, you’ll usually begin with academic support : your supervisors, advisors, and faculty members. Next, you’ll acknowledge any funding bodies or sponsors that supported your research. You’ll then follow this with your intellectual contributors , such as colleagues and peers. Lastly, you’ll typically thank your personal support network , including family, friends, and even pets who offered emotional support during your studies.

As you can probably see, this order moves from the most formal acknowledgements to the least . Typically, your supervisor is mentioned first, due to their significant role in guiding and potentially evaluating your work. However, while this structure is recommended, it’s essential to adapt it based on any specific guidelines from your university. So, be sure to always check (and adhere to) any requirements or norms specific to your university.

With that groundwork laid, let’s look at a few dissertation and thesis acknowledgement examples . If you’d like more, check out our collection of dissertation examples here .

Need a helping hand?

Example #1: Formal and Professional

This acknowledgement formally expresses gratitude to academic mentors and peers, emphasising professional support and academic guidance.

I extend my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Professor Jane Smith, for her unwavering support and insightful critiques throughout my research journey. Her deep commitment to academic excellence and meticulous attention to detail have significantly shaped this dissertation. I am equally thankful to the members of my thesis committee, Dr. John Doe and Dr. Emily White, for their constructive feedback and essential suggestions that enhanced the quality of my work.

My appreciation also goes to the faculty and staff in the Department of Biology at University College London, whose resources and assistance have been invaluable. I would also like to acknowledge my peers for their camaraderie and the stimulating discussions that inspired me throughout my academic journey. Their collective wisdom and encouragement have been a cornerstone of my research experience.

Finally, my sincere thanks to the technical staff whose expertise in managing laboratory equipment was crucial for my experiments. Their patience and readiness to assist at all times have left a profound impact on the completion of my project.

Example #2: Warm and Personal

This acknowledgement warmly credits the emotional and personal support received from family, friends and an approachable mentor during the research process.

This thesis is a reflection of the unwavering support and boundless love I received from my family and friends during this challenging academic pursuit. I owe an immense debt of gratitude to my parents, who nurtured my curiosity and supported my educational endeavours from the very beginning.

To my partner, Alex, your endless patience and understanding, especially during the most demanding phases of this research, have been my anchor. A heartfelt thank you to my supervisor, Dr. Mark Brown, whose mentorship extended beyond the academic realm into personal guidance, providing comfort and motivation during tough times.

I am also thankful for my friends, who provided both distractions when needed and encouragement when it seemed impossible to continue. The discussions and unwavering support from my peers at the university have enriched my research experience, making this journey not only possible but also enjoyable. Their presence and insights have been pivotal in navigating the complexities of my research topic.

Example #3: Inclusive of Challenges

This acknowledgement recognises the wide range of support received during unexpected personal and academic challenges, highlighting resilience and communal support.

The path to completing this dissertation has been fraught with both professional challenges and personal adversities. I am profoundly grateful for the enduring support of my supervisor, Dr. Lisa Green, whose steadfast belief in my capabilities and academic potential encouraged me to persevere even during my lowest moments. Her guidance was a beacon of light in times of doubt.

I must also express my deepest appreciation for my family, who stepped in not only with emotional reassurance, but also with critical financial support, when unexpected personal challenges arose. Their unconditional love and sacrifice have been the foundation of my resilience and success.

I am thankful, too, for the support services at the university, including the counselling centre, whose staff provided me with the tools to manage stress and maintain focus on my academic goals. Each of these individuals and institutions played a crucial role in my journey, reminding me that the pursuit of knowledge is not a solo expedition but a communal effort.

Example #4: Institution-Centric

This acknowledgement succinctly appreciates the financial, academic, and operational support provided by the university and its staff.

This dissertation would not have been possible without the generous financial support from the University of Edinburgh Scholarship Programme, which enabled me to focus fully on my research without financial burden. I am profoundly grateful to my advisor, Professor Richard Miles, for his sage advice, rigorous academic guidance, and the confidence he instilled in me. His expertise in the field of microbiology greatly enriched my work.

I would also like to thank the staff at the university library, whose assistance was indispensable. Their patience and willingness to help locate rare and essential resources facilitated a thorough and comprehensive literature review. Additionally, the administrative and technical staff, who often go unmentioned, provided necessary support that greatly enhanced my research experience. Their dedication and hard work create an environment conducive to academic success.

Lastly, my peers’ encouragement and the intellectual environment at the university have been vital in completing my research.

Example #5: Reflective and philosophical

This acknowledgement reflects on the philosophical growth and personal insights gained through the support of mentors, peers, and family, framing the dissertation as a journey of intellectual discovery.

Completing this thesis has been not only an academic challenge but also a profound journey of personal and philosophical growth.

I am immensely grateful to my mentor, Professor Sarah Johnson, for encouraging me to explore complex ideas and to challenge conventional wisdom. Her guidance helped me navigate the philosophical underpinnings of my research and deepened my analytical skills. My fellow students in the Philosophy Department provided a supportive and intellectually stimulating community. Our discussions extended beyond the classroom, offering new insights and perspectives that were crucial to my thesis.

I am also deeply thankful for my family, whose intellectual curiosity and spirited philosophical debates at home sparked my interest in philosophy from a young age. Their continuous support and belief in my academic pursuits have been instrumental in my success.

This dissertation reflects not only my work but also the collective support of everyone who has touched my life academically and personally. The journey has taught me the value of questioning and the importance of diverse perspectives in enriching our understanding of complex philosophical issues.

FREE Acknowledgements Template

To help fast-track your writing process, we’ve created a free, fully editable template . This template covers all the necessary content for a generic thesis or dissertation acknowledgements section. If you’re interested, you can download a copy here .

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Print Friendly

Dissertation Acknowledgement Examples - 8+ Examples

Thomas Babb

If you’re getting ready to write your dissertation acknowledgement, first of all, congratulations! Writing any thesis is an arduous process, one which you’re nearing the end of. Dissertation acknowledgement examples vary in length and style, mainly due to the fact that you can personalise them to whatever extent you want.

Your dissertation acknowledgement will likely be one of the very last things you write during your dissertation . After you’ve done the brunt of the hard work on actually getting everything down on paper, you now have the challenge of thanking people. Especially for us Brits, this can be a fairly awkward affair, as you don’t want to come off as too ridiculous.

If you’re looking for a helping hand, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll walk you through the main questions to ask yourself when writing your thesis acknowledgements. We’re going to touch upon what the acknowledgement is, different types you could write, who you should include, and even a few perfect dissertation acknowledgement examples to get you started.

You’ll be signing off on your dissertation in no time!

What is a Dissertation Acknowledgement?

An acknowledgement section of your thesis will include a personal thank you to anyone who has helped you along your writing process. This could include personal relations, like a partner or a friend. More commonly, a dissertation acknowledgement will focus on academic help that you’ve had along the way. From professors to lab technicians, this is your moment to give thanks for the hard work everyone has put in.

No one writes a dissertation completely by themselves. While you might have done the heavy academic lifting in coming up with an idea and carrying it through to the end, that doesn’t mean that you’ve been in isolation for the whole process. Normally, there’s someone - or many people - that you want to thank. Some famous dissertation acknowledgement examples even focus on someone’s dog or cat.

Remember, this is your dissertation, you can really thank whoever you want. Just a small warning before you begin writing, be sure to double-check your institution’s guidance. Some universities have specific guidelines for writing acknowledgements. Be sure to look out for anything you can’t include, as well as general guidance for word counts.

But, at the end of the day, this is your piece of writing. While we always suggest you follow recommended guidelines, you can do what you want with your dissertation. Just remember that you can’t change this once submitted, so it's good to be sure you’ve included everyone you want to be mentioned the first time around.

Professional and Academic Acknowledgements in a Dissertation

No dissertation is completed in isolation. From people who read through your work to academic supervisors who guided you through the project, there are plenty of people to thank. Use your dissertation acknowledgements to give thanks to these people. When naming, be sure to stick to full names and titles.

After a lengthy writing process, it’s likely that you’re on a first-name basis with your supervisor. However, it’s good practice to use their title and full name to credit them.

There is no hard or fast rule in this section, but be sure to give thanks to those people that really helped you out. Consider mentioning:

• Dissertation supervisors - These are the people that have guided you through the whole process. Without them and their help, you might not have ended up with such a strong final piece of work. Out of absolutely everyone, these people are the ones that are most commonly thanked in dissertation acknowledgement examples.
• Academic staff who directly contributed to the project, perhaps lab technicians or your research group - Don’t forget about people who were there for you. Not everyone has to be a fundamental piece of the puzzle, but the fact that they helped you should metric a line or two in your thesis acknowledgements.
• Colleagues that helped you in your research or proofread your project - Friends often help you in more ways than one during your academic research. From actively helping in your project by providing guidance or proofreading to maybe just being there when you needed it, friends go a long way. Be sure to name-drop those that were there for you.

One important factor to take into account is that if you have received any funding, you should credit them as well. Even if it’s only one sentence, it’s important to pay thanks to the benefactors of your project.

Consider concluding with, “I give additional thanks to X Foundation, which granted me the opportunity to undertake this study”. This also applies to the university that you’re working under, it’s always a good idea to give thanks to your own institution.

These are slightly more formal requirements, but will almost always appear in professional dissertation acknowledgement examples for this reason.

Personal Acknowledgements in a Dissertation

Your thesis also provides an opportunity to acknowledge your close circle, giving thanks to the important people in your life who got you through it. Although writing a master’s thesis, PhD thesis, or dissertation thesis is an academic process, the mental side also requires support.

Take this as an opportunity to thank the people who made the process any easier for you. Once again, it’s unlikely that you did the whole process in complete isolation. Even if these people didn’t actively help with your work, it’s important to note that they could have helped on the mental side.

From taking a break to go for a drink with your friends to talking through the emotional weight of completing your dissertation project with your partner, being around people can help in more ways than one. If you benefitted from their help, be sure to thank:

• Your partner
• Close friends that supported you through the process
• Your family

Across these categories, you should devote a paragraph or two to giving out some praise. Remember, these people were there for you. The least you can do is mention them by name in the final draft of your thesis!

Improve your grades with TutorChase

The world’s top online tutoring provider trusted by students, parents, and schools globally.

4.93 /5 based on 486 reviews

How to Write a Dissertation Acknowledgement

Now you know who you’re going to mention, it’s time to get writing! There are some key things to remember. First of all, the style of writing should be more informal than the actual dissertation. Make sure to use the first person (I) and employ emotive language where you can. You want to make sure you show your gratitude!

When mentioning names, there are two styles you can follow. The first of these is to move through alphabetical order. This keeps everything in an easy-to-read fashion, while also avoiding any semblance of bias.

However, you could also opt for giving thanks in order of importance. Of course, some people are more essential in your project than others. Your acknowledgements could reflect this by starting with the person who has helped you most. Your supervisor would be a good place to begin.

Although there is no hard and fast rule when discussing acknowledgement length, it’s a good idea to keep it under one page. This will be the first thing your examiners read when working through your thesis. Due to this, it’s best to get straight to the point, thank who you need, and move onto the project!

Once again, we want to make sure you know that you can structure or handle your dissertation acknowledgements in any way you would like. If you’re ready to show the love, make it a five-page letter. If you want to keep it short and sweet, a few sentences will do. It's always good to consult an English tutor to ensure your acknowledgements are clear, grammatically correct and well-written.

As we’ll show you now, dissertation acknowledgement examples come in all shapes and sizes.

Dissertation Acknowledgement Examples

Once you’ve worked out who you need to thank and the style you’re going to use, it’s time to get writing. If you’re still a little stuck, here are some examples from our senior Oxbridge tutors to get you going!

Dissertation Acknowledge Example One – Strictly Academic

I would like to give thanks to my supervisors, Dr. X and Prof. Y, for their enduring support and much-appreciated advice throughout my dissertation. Without their invaluable guidance, this project would not have been possible. The University of X Y Department also receives my deepest gratitude, with continual support, guidance and academic advice from the whole faculty, forming a treasured part of this dissertation. Finally, this project would not have taken place without the support of the X Foundation. I give my thanks to all involved.

Dissertation Acknowledge Example Two – Mixed Personal and Academic

First of all, I’d like to express my deepest gratuities to the X scholarship funded by the X for their ongoing support. I would also like to extend my thanks to Prof. X, who kept me on the right track while also ensuring the project was enjoyable and productive. I could not have done this without them. I have to also mention my family, without their constant love and support, I would not be in the position I am today.

If you need any help with crafting your acknowledgements section, be sure to reach out to one of our expert online tutors .

Dissertation Acknowledge Example Three

Thank you to Dr. X from the University of Y for their generosity during my project. I’m boundlessly thankful for their help and guidance throughout the toughest stages of this dissertation.

Big thanks to my partner Z, who often brought me coffee and snacks while I was sitting in my chair for what seemed like hours. There’s no better soundboard than you, and I’m eternally grateful for all your support throughout this project.

Dissertation Acknowledge Example Four

We are grateful for the prolonged support of Dr X, professor in Y at the University of Z. Without their help, guidance, useful comments, and suggestions, we would not have ended up with a well-versed piece of writing. To Mrs X, who helped to edit and critique our work, we extend a big thank you.

To all of the many colleagues that persuaded us to follow this line of inquiry and provided us with a continual course of constructive criticism. It would be difficult to name them all, but we extend our thanks to everyone that was involved in our project.

Of course, we cannot end our acknowledgements without thanking our partners. Their insight and guidance were the shining light that beckoned us through our research project.

Finally, we turn to the department of X at the university of Y for their countless hours of support across our extended education.

Dissertation Acknowledge Example Five - Itemised List of Contributors.

I am very grateful to the entire network of members that participated in this project:

Professor X (University of Y), Professor X (University of Y), Professor X (University of Y), Name Last Name (University of Y), Professor X (University of Y), Name Last Name (University of Y), and of course, Professor X (University of Y).

A special thanks goes out to Professor X (University of Y), who was the lead supervisor on my thesis and to whom I owe a great deal of gratitude for their shining advice and constant compassion.

Dissertation Acknowledge Example Six

I am grateful to the entire Collective of Departments and the X team for giving me access to the Y resources that made this project possible. A big thanks goes out to Name Last name and Name Last name in particular, for the opportunity to work together on such an exciting project, one that has been near to my heart for quite some time.

Thanks to the X department for facilitating access to the collections and granting me permission to use images 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, and 42 across this research project. The showcase of artefacts and documents from the Y collections were also vital in this study, with my thanks going out to the team for allowing me to spend hours in their facilities.

A very special thanks to Professor X for helping to meticulously check my work, pointing out new directions for research and guiding me to a stronger final conclusion. Finally, I turn to my partner Y, without who I would never have been able to finish this dissertation.

To all those mentioned and those that have slipped my mind, I thank you.

Dissertation Acknowledge Seven - Short and Sweet

I would like to thank all contributors that added to this project, especially Prof. X, who was my main supervisor.

Dissertation Acknowledge Example Eight

The research behind this project was funded by the XYZ Institution. My first thanks goes to them for giving me the opportunity to conduct such a detailed investigation of this topic. Equally, I acknowledge the support given to me by the University of X, including the head of the department of Y, Dr. X Y. Their guidance and ongoing support for the last three years have turned a turbulent period in my life into one that I treasure.

I’m eternally grateful to those that contributed to this project. To my close friends, Name Name and Name Name, both of which I turned to when I was struggling getting pen to paper, I extend my thanks.

Of course, I could not have finished this dissertation without emotional support from my partner, Name Name, who got me through the many ups and downs of the process.

Final Thoughts

No matter which dissertation acknowledgement example you end up using as your guide, the most important thing to remember is that you should fill the section with genuine gratitude. Whether you go all out or just write one or two lines, make sure to get in the people that really matter to you.

While finishing a dissertation is a time to rejoice and feel proud of yourself, you should also make sure you thank those that got you there. We also recommend that you check out our guide on how to write an acknowledgement for a dissertation , which includes some of the very best tips that you can turn to.

Need help from an expert?

Study and Practice for Free

Trusted by 100,000+ Students Worldwide

Achieve Top Grades in your Exams with our Free Resources.

Practice Questions, Study Notes, and Past Exam Papers for all Subjects!

Need Expert Help?

If you’re looking for assistance, get in touch with one of our expert tutors who will be able to provide you with the support you need for the university dissertation . We’ll be there every step of the way!

Professional tutor and Cambridge University researcher

Written by: Thomas Babb

Thomas is a PhD candidate at Oxford University. He served as an interviewer and the lead admissions test marker at Oxford, and teaches undergraduate students at Mansfield College and St Hilda’s College. He has ten years’ experience tutoring A-Level and GCSE students across a range of subjects.

Related Posts

How to Write an Acknowledgement for a Dissertation

A Complete Guide to Writing Your Dissertation

Applying to UK Universities as an IB Student

Hire a tutor

Please fill out the form and we'll find a tutor for you

• Select your country
• Afghanistan
• Åland Islands
• American Samoa
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Bouvet Island
• British Indian Ocean Territory
• Brunei Darussalam
• Burkina Faso
• Cayman Islands
• Central African Republic
• Christmas Island
• Cocos (Keeling) Islands
• Congo, The Democratic Republic of the
• Cook Islands
• Cote D'Ivoire
• Czech Republic
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
• Faroe Islands
• French Guiana
• French Polynesia
• French Southern Territories
• Guinea-Bissau
• Heard Island and Mcdonald Islands
• Holy See (Vatican City State)
• Iran, Islamic Republic Of
• Isle of Man
• Korea, Democratic People'S Republic of
• Korea, Republic of
• Lao People'S Democratic Republic
• Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
• Liechtenstein
• Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
• Marshall Islands
• Micronesia, Federated States of
• Moldova, Republic of
• Netherlands
• Netherlands Antilles
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• Norfolk Island
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Palestinian Territory, Occupied
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Puerto Rico
• Russian Federation
• Saint Helena
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Serbia and Montenegro
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
• Svalbard and Jan Mayen
• Switzerland
• Syrian Arab Republic
• Taiwan, Province of China
• Tanzania, United Republic of
• Timor-Leste
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States
• United States Minor Outlying Islands
• Virgin Islands, British
• Virgin Islands, U.S.
• Wallis and Futuna
• Western Sahara

Alternatively contact us via WhatsApp, Phone Call, or Email

• Thesis Action Plan New
• Academic Project Planner

Literature Navigator

Thesis dialogue blueprint, writing wizard's template, research proposal compass.

• Why students love us
• Rebels Blog
• Why we are different
• All Products
• Coming Soon

Crafting the Perfect Thesis Acknowledgement: Tips and Examples

Crafting the perfect thesis acknowledgement is a respectful and important part of completing your academic thesis. It provides an opportunity to express gratitude to those who have supported you throughout your research journey. This article aims to guide you through the essential elements of thesis acknowledgements and offer practical examples to help you write a sincere and structured acknowledgement section.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the purpose of acknowledgements in a thesis is crucial; they recognize the support and contributions of individuals and organizations.
• A well-structured acknowledgement should be genuine, concise, and specific, mentioning each contributor by name and the nature of their assistance.
• Providing examples from various categories such as mentors, family, classmates, and funding support can serve as a template for crafting personalized acknowledgements.

Essential Elements of Thesis Acknowledgements

Understanding the purpose.

The acknowledgement section of your thesis is not merely a formality; it is a professional tribute to the individuals and entities that have supported your academic journey . It serves as a genuine expression of gratitude , reflecting the assistance and encouragement you've received. When crafting this section, consider the purpose of each acknowledgment, ensuring that your thanks are directed appropriately and thoughtfully.

To effectively recognize the contributions of others, you may want to:

• Identify key individuals such as advisors, mentors, and family who have provided substantial support.
• Consider the roles of classmates, research participants, and institutional entities in your work.
• Acknowledge any financial support or technical assistance that was crucial to your research.

Remember, the acknowledgements section is yours to personalize . While there are formalities to observe, the essence lies in providing a sincere and specific account of the support you've received. This is your opportunity to convey appreciation in a meaningful way, setting the tone for the professional and academic relationships you've built during your thesis endeavor.

Structuring Your Acknowledgement

When you begin to structure your acknowledgement, start with a courteous introduction, expressing your sincere gratitude. Identify each contributor by name , and succinctly state how they supported your thesis journey. It's important to maintain a balance between brevity and meaningfulness, ensuring that each acknowledgment is both concise and heartfelt.

Consider the following structure for your acknowledgement:

• Formal address or opening
• Thanks to academic advisors and faculty
• Acknowledgement of funding sources
• Gratitude towards research participants
• Appreciation for family and friends
• Mention of technical and editorial assistance
• Closing remarks

Remember to review the Thesis / Dissertation Formatting Manual (2024) for specific guidelines on citing previously published material and obtaining necessary permissions. The structure of your acknowledgement should reflect the unique contributions to your work, as outlined in the ' Acknowledgement for Thesis | Definition & Sample - BachelorPrint'. Lastly, ensure that your acknowledgement aligns with the general recommendations provided in '4. Writing up your Research: Thesis Formatting (MS Word)', which includes a title page, abstract, and table of contents.

Providing Genuine Thanks

In crafting your thesis acknowledgement, the essence of genuine gratitude cannot be overstated. Express your thanks in a personal and meaningful way , ensuring that each contributor feels valued for their unique support . Reflect on the specific ways individuals or organizations have aided your journey, whether through intellectual guidance, emotional support, or logistical assistance.

• Begin with a heartfelt opening that sets the tone of gratitude.
• Mention each contributor by name, highlighting their specific input.
• Conclude with a warm closing that encapsulates your overall appreciation.

Remember, an acknowledgement is more than a mere formality; it's a reflection of your academic integrity and personal character. By being sincere and specific , you honor the collective effort that has shaped your scholarly work.

Reviewing and Finalizing Your Acknowledgement

Once you have expressed your gratitude and acknowledged all the significant contributors to your thesis, it's crucial to review and finalize your acknowledgement. Ensure that your acknowledgement reflects sincerity and professionalism by meticulously checking for any errors or omissions. Here are some steps to consider:

• Reread your acknowledgement to verify that all names are correctly spelled and titles are accurate.
• Reflect on the contributions of each individual or entity, making sure you haven't missed anyone who played a pivotal role in your thesis journey .
• Seek feedback from peers or mentors to gain an outside perspective on the tone and content of your acknowledgement.
• Revise your acknowledgement for clarity, conciseness, and flow, ensuring it reads well and conveys your genuine appreciation.

Remember, the acknowledgement is not just a courtesy, but a meaningful part of your thesis that showcases your professional relationships and gratitude. Before you consider this section complete, take a moment to restate the significance of each contribution, mirroring the care you've invested in your research.

Practical Examples of Thesis Acknowledgements

Acknowledgement for course instructor.

When crafting your thesis acknowledgement, it's essential to express gratitude to those who have played a pivotal role in your academic journey , including your course instructor. Begin with a heartfelt thank you , acknowledging the specific contributions of your instructor. For instance, you might appreciate their insightful lectures , constructive feedback, or the encouragement they provided that spurred your intellectual growth.

Remember to keep your language genuine and concise . A bulleted list can help you structure your thanks effectively:

• Thank your instructor for their dedication to your learning.
• Mention the ways they have enriched your understanding of the subject.
• Acknowledge any personal encouragement or academic advice they have offered.

By following these steps, you ensure that your acknowledgement resonates with sincerity and adequately reflects the importance of your instructor's support.

Acknowledgement for the Mentor

The mentorship you receive during your thesis journey is pivotal to your academic and personal growth. Your mentor's expertise and guidance are the bedrock of your research success. It is essential to acknowledge their contribution with gratitude and respect. Here are some points you might consider including in your acknowledgement for your mentor:

• Expressing appreciation for their insightful feedback and continuous support.
• Recognizing the mentor's role in shaping your academic path and research skills.
• Mentioning specific instances where their guidance was particularly influential.
• Acknowledging the time and effort they invested in your success.

Remember, a heartfelt and personalized acknowledgement will always resonate more than a generic thank you. Take the time to reflect on the unique aspects of your mentorship experience when crafting this section of your thesis.

Acknowledgement for Family Support

When it comes to acknowledging family support in your thesis, it's essential to convey your gratitude in a manner that reflects the personal and emotional support you've received. Your family's unwavering belief in your academic journey deserves a special mention. They've provided a foundation of encouragement and understanding, often without the expectation of anything in return.

Expressing thanks to your family can be structured in a simple list to ensure each member's contribution is recognized:

• To my parents, for their wisdom and sacrifices.
• To my siblings, for their companionship and humor during stressful times.
• To my partner, for patience and love that gave me strength.

Remember, a heartfelt acknowledgment resonates more than a mere listing of names. It's about capturing the essence of their support, which has been as crucial as any academic guidance. As one source puts it, special thanks are due to family for their patience and understanding during the long hours spent in academic pursuit. In finalizing this section, review it to ensure it genuinely reflects your appreciation and the unique role your family has played in your academic success.

Acknowledgement for Classmates

Your journey through the rigorous academic challenge of thesis writing is often shared with a group of individuals who are in the same boat - your classmates. Their camaraderie and mutual support play a pivotal role in your success . It is essential to acknowledge their contribution, as they provide not just academic support, but also a sense of community during this intense period.

Collaborative efforts with classmates can take various forms, from group study sessions to peer reviews of your work. Here are some ways to express gratitude to your classmates in your thesis acknowledgement:

• Thank them for specific instances of support, such as providing feedback on a draft or sharing resources.
• Acknowledge the collective spirit that helped you stay motivated and focused.
• Mention any classmate who went above and beyond to assist you in your research or writing process.

Remember, a heartfelt acknowledgement can strengthen your bonds and show appreciation for the shared academic journey.

Acknowledgement for Research Participants

When acknowledging research participants , it's essential to express your sincere appreciation for their time and insights. These individuals have played a pivotal role in the advancement of your study, offering valuable data that has likely shaped the outcome of your research. Their willingness to share personal experiences and information is the cornerstone of your project's success.

Begin by thanking them collectively, and if appropriate, mention any groups or communities specifically. It's important to respect the privacy and confidentiality agreements made with participants, so avoid disclosing sensitive information. Here's a simple structure you can follow:

• Express gratitude for their participation
• Highlight the importance of their contributions
• Acknowledge the impact of their data on your research
• Reiterate your commitment to confidentiality and ethical standards

Remember, without their involvement, the richness of your research would be diminished. As you draft this section, reflect on the tools and resources that aided you in defining your thesis purpose and maintaining research focus , such as worksheets, templates, and action plans. These tools not only facilitate organization but also underscore the significance of each participant's contribution.

Acknowledgement for Funding Support

When acknowledging funding support , it's crucial to express gratitude in a manner that reflects the significance of the financial contribution to your research. Your benefactors have provided more than just funds; they have invested in your academic potential.

• Begin by naming the specific funding bodies , grants, or scholarships that supported your work. For example, "This research was supported by the XYZ Scholarship Fund."
• Mention how the funding has directly impacted your research, such as enabling fieldwork, purchasing equipment, or allowing for full-time dedication to the study.
• If applicable, outline the broader impact of the funding, such as contributing to the advancement of knowledge in your field or supporting future scholars.

Remember to review the requirements or guidelines provided by your funding bodies as some may have specific stipulations on how their support should be acknowledged. A sincere and thoughtful acknowledgement not only shows your appreciation but also demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail.

Acknowledgement for Technical Assistance

When acknowledging technical assistance in your thesis, it's important to highlight the specific contributions made by individuals or groups that provided technical support . Your acknowledgement should reflect the significance of their expertise to your research. For instance:

• Mr. Smith's proficiency with analytical tools greatly facilitated the research process.
• The guidance in navigating complex data sets was crucial.
• The dedication to ensuring the accuracy and rigor of findings was invaluable.

Expressing gratitude for technical assistance not only shows your appreciation but also underscores the collaborative nature of academic research. Remember to be specific about the type of assistance received and the impact it had on your work. This can range from data analysis to specialized equipment handling or software troubleshooting.

Incorporate these tips for effective time management to overcome procrastination and make progress on your thesis. Break tasks into smaller chunks, eliminate distractions, set goals, take breaks, and seek support when you're dealing with technical challenges. This proactive approach will help you maintain momentum and express genuine thanks in your acknowledgement.

Acknowledgement for Institutional Support

When it comes to acknowledging institutional support in your thesis, it's important to recognize the broader infrastructure that has facilitated your research. Your institution is not just a backdrop for your academic journey; it is a pivotal enabler of your scholarly pursuits. Expressing gratitude towards your university or college demonstrates an awareness of the collective effort that underpins individual success.

Begin by thanking the institution for specific resources or opportunities provided, such as access to libraries, laboratories, or funding programs. For instance:

• ABC University for the use of their state-of-the-art laboratories
• XYZ College for granting special research fellowships
• The 123 Institute for providing critical data sets

Remember to mention any significant contributions that have directly impacted the success of your research. This acknowledgment seeks to recognize the invaluable support provided by the institution, which often includes administrative staff, facilities management, and academic departments . It's a way to show gratitude and appreciation for the collective support that has been instrumental in reaching this pivotal point in your academic career.

Acknowledgement for Editorial Assistance

When it comes to editorial assistance, your acknowledgement should reflect the meticulous effort and valuable contributions of those who helped refine your thesis. Express your gratitude for their attention to detail and the significant improvement they brought to the quality of your work. Editorial experts not only enhance the clarity and coherence of your manuscript but also ensure adherence to the highest standards of academic integrity .

Remember to mention specific instances where their insights were particularly beneficial. For example:

• Their suggestions on rephrasing complex sentences
• Corrections made to ensure accurate referencing
• Guidance on maintaining a consistent tone throughout the document

By acknowledging the editorial support you received, you highlight the collaborative nature of academic work and the importance of clear communication. It's a gesture that underscores the value of their role in the journey of your scholarly publication .

Acknowledgement of Industry Collaboration

When acknowledging industry collaboration in your thesis, it's important to highlight the practical impact of such partnerships. Your innovative ideas and constructive feedback have enhanced the overall quality of our work. Thank you for being an invaluable partner in this endeavor. The collaboration with industry experts not only brings a wealth of knowledge but also ensures that your research remains relevant and applicable in a real-world context .

In expressing gratitude, consider the following points:

• The specific contributions and resources provided by the industry partner.
• The ways in which the collaboration has shaped your research.
• Any challenges that were overcome through the partnership.

Remember, a well-crafted acknowledgement can serve as a testament to the symbiotic relationship between academia and industry. It's a gesture of appreciation that underscores the mutual benefits of such collaborations. Ensure that your thanks are not just a formality, but a genuine recognition of the value added to your research.

Embarking on the journey of thesis writing can be daunting, but you don't have to do it alone. Our comprehensive Thesis Action Plan is designed to guide you through every step, ensuring a stress-free and successful completion. From practical examples of thesis acknowledgements to step-by-step instructions, we've got you covered. Don't let anxiety and sleepless nights take over. Visit our website now to claim your special offer and start your path to thesis mastery with confidence!

In crafting the perfect thesis acknowledgement, we must remember that it is more than a mere formality; it is a heartfelt expression of gratitude towards those who have contributed to our academic journey. The acknowledgement section is a unique space within our thesis to extend our sincerest thanks to mentors, family, peers, and institutions that have provided support, guidance, and resources. By following the tips and examples provided in this article, students can ensure that their acknowledgements are not only appropriately structured and sincere but also reflective of the collaborative spirit inherent in academic pursuits. As we conclude, let us acknowledge that the success of a thesis is not a solo achievement but the culmination of a collective effort, and it is this spirit of collaboration and support that the acknowledgement section should encapsulate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of a thesis acknowledgement.

The purpose of a thesis acknowledgement is to express gratitude to individuals, groups, or institutions that have contributed to the completion of your thesis. It's an opportunity to thank those who provided support, guidance, resources, or inspiration throughout your research and writing process.

How should I structure my thesis acknowledgement?

Your thesis acknowledgement should be structured with a polite opening, followed by specific thanks to each contributor. Start with those most closely associated with your research, such as advisors and committee members, then acknowledge other supporters such as peers, family, and funding bodies. Keep it concise and sincere.

Can I include personal acknowledgements in my thesis?

Yes, it is common to include personal acknowledgements in your thesis. You can express gratitude to family members, friends, or anyone else who provided personal support or encouragement. However, maintain a professional tone and keep the focus on how they contributed to your thesis journey.

Cómo Empezar una Tesis: Una Guía Completa para Principiantes

How to Start a Thesis: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

थीसिस कैसे शुरू करें: शुरुआती लोगों के लिए एक व्यापक मार्गदर्शिका

كيفية بدء رسالة: دليل شامل للمبتدئين

如何开始写论文：初学者的综合指南

Thesis Revision Made Simple: Techniques for Perfecting Your Academic Work

Integrating Calm into Your Study Routine: The Power of Mindfulness in Education

How to Determine the Perfect Research Proposal Length

How Do I Start Writing My Thesis: A Step-by-Step Guide

From Idea to Proposal: 6 Steps to Efficiently Plan Your Research Project in 2024

Thesis Action Plan

• Blog Articles
• Affiliate Program
• Terms and Conditions
• Payment and Shipping Terms
• Privacy Policy
• Return Policy

© 2024 Research Rebels, All rights reserved.

Your cart is currently empty.

Want to Get your Dissertation Accepted?

Discover how we've helped doctoral students complete their dissertations and advance their academic careers!

Join 200+ Graduated Students

Get Your Dissertation Accepted On Your Next Submission

Get customized coaching for:.

• Crafting your proposal,
• Collecting and analyzing your data, or
• Preparing your defense.

Trapped in dissertation revisions?

How to write acknowledgments for a dissertation, published by steve tippins on april 23, 2020 april 23, 2020.

Last Updated on: 22nd May 2024, 04:22 am

If you are wondering how to write your dissertation acknowledgments, that means you are basically finished. Congratulations! You have done the hard work and are just putting the finishing touches on your masterpiece and deciding who to thank.

Seriously though, deciding whom to acknowledge and how to do it is important.

How to Write Dissertation Acknowledgements

There are a few things to keep in mind when writing your dissertation acknowledgements:

• Know your school’s requirements
• Thank the right people from your institution
• Thank the right people from your personal life
• Add a touch of humor (when appropriate)
• Keep it the appropriate length

Jump to: Dissertation Acknowledgements Example

Know Your School’s Requirements

The first thing to do is check with your university to see if there are any requirements for or limitations on what to write in the acknowledgments for your dissertation. Some schools have page or word limits. 

Others may limit the types of things that you can say, but for the most part I have seen few limitations. Universities recognize that it takes a village, so to speak, and they want to give you ample opportunity to recognize those who’ve played a part in your success.

Who Should I Thank in My Dissertation Acknowledgments?

Finishing a dissertation is a celebration. Go ahead and tell those who are meaningful that you appreciate them. 

It is generally best to start with the most formal relationships and move from there to the personal. Keep in mind that there is a certain political aspect to your list of acknowledgements, so be careful to avoid leaving out anyone at your institution who made a contribution. These are some of the people to consider thanking as a courtesy:

• Committee members
• Supervisors
• Librarians (generalists and specialists)
• Other academics
• Professional colleagues
• Classmates who contributed in some way
• Research participants

The acknowledgement section of your dissertation is also a great place to thank those in your personal life who contributed to your ability to go to school and take the time to write this tome. These can include:

• Past teachers
• Family — parents, spouses, children, extended family members
• If you are religious, thanking God (using whatever name is appropriate to your religion) is acceptable as well
• Pets (I saw a student thank her cat for keeping her company during the many long nights of writing in her office)

I once had someone ask about thanking a therapist. This is fine, but I would suggest asking their permission first.

Should I Add Humor in my Dissertation Acknowledgements?

Dissertations can be somewhat dry, so adding a little bit of humor may make it more fun for both you and the reader — and a degree of humor is appropriate in the acknowledgements section. I once read an acknowledgement that said, “And now that I will have time to tend to relationships, I want to thank my three unborn children for being patient.” 

Another student recounted a cute family story in one sentence that captured the sacrifices his family made to support him.

With regard to humor, remember to maintain a level of professionalism and avoid straying too far into the weeds. Avoid critical (including self-critical) humor or presenting anyone in a bad light. Remember that prospective employers will likely be perusing this document.

How Long Should Dissertation Acknowledgments Be?

I have never seen an acknowledgement section go beyond one page. Keep it to those who really helped you through the process.

How Do You Write an Acknowledgment for a Dissertation: Example

The best way to learn how to write acknowledgements for a dissertation is by reading the acknowledgements section in dissertations previously published by your institution. However, to help you get started, here is an example of an acknowledgement for a dissertation.

Acknowledgements

There are many who helped me along the way on this journey. I want to take a moment to thank them.

First, I wish to thank my dissertation committee . Without their guidance, I would not have made it. Dr. Betty Rubble and Dr. Colin Slate served as wise committee members, and Dr. Barney Rubble, my Chair, went above and beyond to help me reach my goal.

To my friends, my parents, and my siblings: you put up with me being distracted and missing many events. I am forever grateful for your patience and understanding. I hope to have time now to reconnect with each of you.

Finally, to my wife, Charlotte, and my daughter, Jane: your love and understanding helped me through the dark times. Without you believing in me, I never would have made it. It is time to celebrate; you earned this degree right along with me.

When to Write Dissertation Acknowledgements

I’ve seen a surprising number of students turn in drafts of their proposals with the acknowledgements section already written. I suppose the thinking goes, “the more sections I complete now, the less I’ll have to do later.” And it must be tempting to fill out a section that doesn’t require any citations.

While there’s nothing wrong with drafting the acknowledgements section ahead of time, it’s best to keep it saved separately from the draft of your proposal. Acknowledgements are supposed to be written retroactively, and your Chair and committee members may find it strange to be thanked before they’ve finished the work of guiding you through the dissertation process. 

How to Write Dissertation Acknowledgements: Summary

The acknowledgement section of your dissertation is the least controlled area of the document. There are no special headings needed or word counts. I suggest you take your time and really think about those who helped you complete this journey and give them the thanks they deserve.

You can give them a card or take them out to dinner, and that’s a great idea. But an acknowledgement in your dissertation is a permanent reminder and an announcement to the wider world that these people really made a difference in your life and your future. Some proud parents have framed their child’s acknowledgement page! Try to make yours worthy of framing. 

And remember, though this is your opportunity to thank others, the way that you do so (and the care you put into it) is a reflection of who you are. As much as you might be tired of writing, it’s worth putting genuine effort into this section, as it will speak to everyone who reads it about who you are as a person.

Wondering what’s next after you have your PhD? As a PhD coach, I help recent graduates reach their goals , whether that’s landing their dream job at a university, diving into research, creating your own business, or beginning a career outside of academia.

Steve Tippins

Steve Tippins, PhD, has thrived in academia for over thirty years. He continues to love teaching in addition to coaching recent PhD graduates as well as students writing their dissertations. Learn more about his dissertation coaching and career coaching services. Book a Free Consultation with Steve Tippins

Related Posts

Dissertation

Dissertation memes.

Sometimes you can’t dissertate anymore and you just need to meme. Don’t worry, I’ve got you. Here are some of my favorite dissertation memes that I’ve seen lately. My Favorite Dissertation Memes For when you Read more…

Surviving Post Dissertation Stress Disorder

The process of earning a doctorate can be long and stressful – and for some people, it can even be traumatic. This may be hard for those who haven’t been through a doctoral program to Read more…

PhD by Publication

PhD by publication, also known as “PhD by portfolio” or “PhD by published works,” is a relatively new route to completing your dissertation requirements for your doctoral degree. In the traditional dissertation route, you have Read more…

• Acknowledgements for PhD Thesis and Dissertations – Explained
• Doing a PhD

The Purpose of Acknowledgements

The acknowledgement section of a thesis or dissertation is where you recognise and thank those who supported you during your PhD. This can be but is not limited to individuals, institutions or organisations.

Although your acknowledgements will not be used to evaluate your work, it is still an important section of your thesis. This is because it can have a positive (or negative for that matter) influence the perception of your reader before they even reach the main body of your work.

Who Should I Acknowledge?

Acknowledgements for a PhD thesis will typically fall into one of two categories – professional or personal.

Within these categories, who you thank will ultimately be your decision. However, it’s imperative that you pay special attention to the ‘professional’ group. This is because not thanking someone who has played an important role in your studies, whether it be intentional or accidental, will more often than not be seen as a dismissal of their efforts. Not only would this be unfair if they genuinely helped you, but from a certain political aspect, it could also jeopardise any opportunities for future collaborations .

Professional Acknowledgements

This may include, but is not limited to:

• Funding bodies/sponsorship providers
• Supervisors
• Research group and lab assistants
• Research participants
• Proofreaders

Personal Acknowledgements

• Key family members and friends
• Individuals who inspired you or directly influenced your academic journey
• Anyone else who has provided personal support that you would like to mention

It should be noted that certain universities have policies which state only those who have directly supported your work, such as supervisors and professors, should be included in your acknowledgements. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you read your university guidelines before writing this section of your thesis.

How to Write Acknowledgements for PhD Thesis

When producing this section, your writing style can be more informal compared to the rest of your thesis. This includes writing in first person and using more emotive language. Although in most cases you will have complete freedom in how you write this section of your thesis, it is still highly advisable to keep it professional. As mentioned earlier, this is largely because it will be one of the first things your assessors will read, and so it will help set the tone for the rest of your work.

In terms of its structure, acknowledgements are expected to be ordered in a manner that first recognises the most formal support before moving onto the less formal support. In most cases, this follows the same order that we have outlined in the ‘Who Should I Thank’ section.

When thanking professionals, always write out their full name and provide their title. This is because although you may be on a first-name basis with them, those who read your thesis will not. By providing full names and titles, not only do you help ensure clarity, but it could also indirectly contribute to the credibility of your thesis should the individual you’re thanking be well known within your field.

If you intend to include a list of people from one institution or organisation, it is best to list their names in alphabetical order. The exception to this is when a particular individual has been of significant assistance; here, it would be advisable to list them.

How Long Should My Acknowledgements Be?

Acknowledgements vary considerably in length. Some are a single paragraph whilst some continue for up to three pages. The length of your acknowledgement page will mostly depend on the number of individuals you want to recognise.

As a general rule, try to keep your acknowledgements section to a single page. Although there are no word limits, creating a lengthy acknowledgements section dilutes the gratitude you’re trying to express, especially to those who have supported you the most.

Where Should My Acknowledgements Go?

In the vast majority of cases, your acknowledgements should appear directly after your abstract and before your table of contents.

However, we highly advise you to check your university guidelines as a few universities set out their own specific order which they will expect you to follow.

Phrases to Help You Get Started

We appreciate how difficult it can be to truly show how grateful you are to those who have supported you over the years, especially in words.

To help you get started, we’ve provided you with a few examples of sentences that you can complete or draw ideas from.

• I am deeply grateful to XXX…
• I would like to express my sincere gratitude to XXX…
• I would like to offer my special thanks to XXX…
• I would like to extend my sincere thanks to XXX…
• …for their assistance at every stage of the research project.
• …for their insightful comments and suggestions.
• …for their contribution to XXX.
• …for their unwavering support and belief in me.

Thesis Acknowledgement Examples

Below are three PhD thesis acknowledgment samples from which you can draw inspiration. It should be noted that the following have been extracted from theses which are freely available in the public domain. Irrespective of this, references to any individual, department or university have been removed for the sake of privacy.

First and foremost I am extremely grateful to my supervisors, Prof. XXX and Dr. XXX for their invaluable advice, continuous support, and patience during my PhD study. Their immense knowledge and plentiful experience have encouraged me in all the time of my academic research and daily life. I would also like to thank Dr. XXX and Dr. XXX for their technical support on my study. I would like to thank all the members in the XXX. It is their kind help and support that have made my study and life in the UK a wonderful time. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to my parents, my wife and my children. Without their tremendous understanding and encouragement in the past few years, it would be impossible for me to complete my study.

I would like to thank my supervisors Dr. XXX and Dr. XXX for all their help and advice with this PhD. I would also like to thank my sisters, whom without this would have not been possible. I also appreciate all the support I received from the rest of my family. Lastly, I would like to thank the XXX for the studentship that allowed me to conduct this thesis.

I would like to thank my esteemed supervisor – Dr. XXX for his invaluable supervision, support and tutelage during the course of my PhD degree. My gratitude extends to the Faculty of XXX for the funding opportunity to undertake my studies at the Department of XXX, University of XXX. Additionally, I would like to express gratitude to Dr. XXX for her treasured support which was really influential in shaping my experiment methods and critiquing my results. I also thank Dr. XXX, Dr. XXX, Dr. XXX for their mentorship. I would like to thank my friends, lab mates, colleagues and research team – XXX, XXX, XXX, XXX for a cherished time spent together in the lab, and in social settings. My appreciation also goes out to my family and friends for their encouragement and support all through my studies.

Browse PhDs Now

Join thousands of students.

Join thousands of other students and stay up to date with the latest PhD programmes, funding opportunities and advice.

Stack Exchange Network

Stack Exchange network consists of 183 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow , the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers.

Q&A for work

Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search.

Whether and how to thank a girlfriend or boyfriend in the acknowledgements of thesis?

How is it received by the academia if someone thanks to his/her girlfriend/boyfriend in the acknowledgements of the thesis?

I have seen writers including his/her fiancee in the acknowledgements, however I don't know if including an informal relationship in the thesis will be received well.

If it is acceptable, how should I refer to my girlfriend?

• acknowledgement

• 5 @Moriarty: I wasn’t necessarily talking about a sexual relationship. Though I am no expert, I am pretty sure that publically stating that there is somebody who is just your girlfriend is at least pretty bad idea in Saudi Arabia, for example. –  Wrzlprmft ♦ Commented Feb 8, 2015 at 23:12
• 44 @user1938107 I'm very comfortable with the acknowledgement of my ex that is in my thesis. That relationship may have ended, but the help I acknowledged still happened. –  jakebeal Commented Feb 8, 2015 at 23:15
• 88 I thanked a fictional dog in my thesis. Nobody cared. Or noticed. –  JeffE Commented Feb 9, 2015 at 3:27
• 33 I'm pretty sure that no one has ever read the acknowledgements page of my thesis (including my PhD advisor). There's always the old joke about sticking a $20 bill into your thesis in the library and coming back 10 years later to find it still there... –  Andy Putman Commented Feb 9, 2015 at 6:31
• 14 Dunno about thesis, but my BSc ticket is still taped inside its cardboard tube, 38 years after I received it. Nobody has ever asked to see it, so I never opened it. I daren't open it now in case, instead of a degree certificate, it contains merely a 'You're joking, surely!' note from my prof. –  Martin James Commented Feb 9, 2015 at 15:29

2 Answers 2

The acknowledgements section is really yours to do with as you wish. You can thank anybody who has been of help and support to you, no matter how formal or informal your relationship with them is. You can make the relationship explicit or not, however you prefer. Thus, for example, it is equally valid to write:

Thank you to Jane Smith, for all her love and support

Thank you to my girlfriend Jane Smith, for all her love and support

• 3 @keshlam's answer –  Lilienthal Commented Feb 9, 2015 at 13:33
• 2 Sadly, for a thesis this might not be the case. Check the rules of your institute! In my home country, the University of Leiden is somewhat infamous for forbidding "excessively long non-academic acknowledgments" and making a fuss about acknowledgments to deities, going as far as forcing people to reprint their thesis, or rip out the acknowledgment altogether. –  JanJ Commented Feb 10, 2015 at 11:42

Adding to jakebeal (and keshlam's comment about offensive text), I think the only negative consequence is when you leave specific people out, e.g., you thank one supervisor but not the other. And that includes people who did support you during your thesis but were not part of the formal structures, e.g., your partner, or your parents, etc. Not to argue with comics, but PhDComics put it best: " Acknowledgements " and " To you I dedicate this thesis ".

To avoid forgetting someone, I found it useful to add a general thank you paragraph after the personalized acknowledgements for all those I did not mention explicitly (sums up other colleagues, extended family, etc.).

• 2 This is a very good answer. Actually, I think there is nothing wrong arguing with comics. Thank you. –  padawan Commented Feb 10, 2015 at 23:05

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for browse other questions tagged thesis etiquette acknowledgement ..

• Featured on Meta
• Bringing clarity to status tag usage on meta sites
• We've made changes to our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy - July 2024
• Announcing a change to the data-dump process

Hot Network Questions

• Fast circular buffer
• python stats.spearmanr and R cor.test(method='spearman') don't return the same p-value?
• Chord definition misunderstanding
• Fitting 10 pieces of pizza in a box
• Can I use rear (thru) axle with crack for a few rides, before getting a new one?
• Why do only 2 USB cameras work while 4 USB cameras cannot stream at once?
• Can you successfully substitute pickled onions for baby onions in Coq Au Vin?
• What sort of impact did the discovery that water could be broken down (via electrolysis) into gas have?
• How can I push back on my co-worker's changes that I disagree with?
• How to find intersecting linear equations between two lists?
• Adverb of Place vs. Predicate nominative
• What other goals could a space project with the primary goal of experience building with heavy lift rockets perform?
• If you get pulled for secondary inspection at immigration, missing flight, will the airline rebook you?
• What prevents applications from misusing private keys?
• Why did Worf respond when Picard ordered the Enterprise out of the asteroid in TNG: The Pegasus?
• Can pedestrians and cyclists use the Channel Tunnel?
• Postdoc supervisor has stopped helping
• Everyone hates this Key Account Manager, but company won’t act
• Sun rise on Venus from East or West (North as North Eclliptic Pole)
• Why is global state hard to test? Doesn't setting the global state at the beginning of each test solve the problem?
• How would Earth's plants change in this speculated Earth-like planet?
• Can the speed of light inhibit the synchronisation of a power grid?
• Are there any original heat shield tiles on any of the retired space shuttles that flew to space?
• Home water pressure higher than city water pressure?

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

How to Write Acknowledgement for Dissertation?

• Updated on  
• Apr 21, 2023

Students pursuing doctoral or master’s programs are required to submit a dissertation as part of their studies. A dissertation is a written document that summarises the research conducted and includes findings either on a question or a topic chosen by the student. A dissertation is important as it demonstrates a student’s knowledge about their subject and their ability to use research methods to define a topic/subject. As part of the dissertation, students are required to submit an acknowledgement. This blog guides you on how to write an acknowledgement for your dissertation acknowledgement, what to include in an acknowledgement for a dissertation, and includes tips and samples for acknowledgement for dissertation projects.

Must Read: All About PhD Thesis

This Blog Includes:

Acknowledgement for dissertation, why is thesis acknowledgement so important, professional and academic acknowledgements, how to write acknowledgement for a dissertation, including thanks in acknowledgement for the dissertation, how long should my acknowledgements be, where should my acknowledgements go, phrases to help you get started, dissertation acknowledgement examples, dissertation acknowledgement sample, dos and don’ts while writing acknowledgement for dissertation, [bonus] find out the best country to pursue phd, when to write dissertation acknowledgements, differences between your thesis acknowledgement and preface, summary of writing dissertation acknowledgements.

An acknowledgement for the dissertation is written to acknowledge and thank all individuals and academic departments that helped you during the process of writing a dissertation. It is a section where you thank funders, dissertation supervisors, other academics, colleagues, family and friends that helped in the research and writing process. The acknowledgement is placed after the title page of the dissertation and is no longer than one page. 

Also Read:  What is Research Proposal?

Some students add an acknowledgement part to their thesis or dissertation projects because they were difficult, while others do so because they worked hard for a long period. If a lot of individuals have helped you over the years, you might want to think about them to express your thanks. Who are these individuals? In a thesis acknowledgement, it’s common to see:

• Fellow students;
• Colleagues;
• Possible respondents;

The main objective of an acknowledgement page is to express gratitude to people who helped you during your research.

No dissertation is ever finished in a vacuum. There are many individuals to thank, from those who read your work to academic supervisors who assisted you through the project. Thank these individuals in your dissertation acknowledgements. Take care to use complete names and titles while naming. After a long writing process, your supervisor is likely to know you by your first name. To credit them, though, it’s best to include their complete name and title. There are no hard and fast rules in this part, but make sure to appreciate individuals that helped you out tremendously. Consider including the following:

• Supervisors of dissertations
• Academics who worked on the study directly, such as lab workers or your research group
• Colleagues who assisted you with research or proofread your work

There is no format to write an acknowledgement for a dissertation. You should simply start by thanking everyone who helped you. While writing, you can use an informal tone as an acknowledgement is more personal. It should be written in first-person. You can acknowledge individuals, institutions or organisations. It is preferred to start with professional acknowledgements first and then move to personal acknowledgements. You choose to simply say thank you in some acknowledgements whereas in others you can elaborate on how that person helped you.

Make sure you thank the right people from your institution as well as from your personal life.

Professional acknowledgements can include:

• Committee members
• Supervisors
• Professors 
• Librarians (generalists and specialists)
• Proofreaders
• Laboratory assistants
• Other academics
• Professional colleagues
• Classmates who contributed in some way
• Research participants
• You can also mention if someone in authority gave you valuable suggestions

Personal Acknowledgements can include:

• Your  partner
• Friends and the Family members who contributed or inspired in some way
• Any other individual who inspired or guided you in your academic journey
• You can also choose to thank God.

Also Read: PhD in UK

The length of acknowledgements varies greatly. Some areas short as a single paragraph, while others are as long as three pages. The length of your recognition page will mostly be determined by the number of people you wish to thank. Try to restrict your acknowledgements section to one page as a general guideline. Even though there is no word restrictions, a long acknowledgements section dilutes the thankfulness you’re attempting to show, especially to those who have aided you the most.

Your acknowledgements should, in the great majority of circumstances, come after your abstract and before your table of contents. However, we strongly urge you to examine your university’s standards, as some universities have their own set of rules that you must observe.

We understand how difficult it is to express your gratitude to people who have helped you throughout the years, especially in words. To assist you in getting started, we’ve supplied a few samples of phrases from which you may finish or obtain ideas.

• I am deeply grateful to XXX…
• I would like to express my sincere gratitude to XXX…
• I would like to offer my special thanks to XXX…
• I would like to extend my sincere thanks to XXX…
• …for their assistance at every stage of the research project.
• …for their insightful comments and suggestions.
• …for their contribution to XXX.
• …for their unwavering support and belief in me.
• You can use the following examples that will help to write an acknowledgement for your dissertation. You can simply say thank you or elaborate on how each person or group contributed to your dissertation.
• First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to ________ for providing financial support without which this research would not have been possible. 
• I would like to thank my supervisor _____ for the constant support and guidance throughout this project.
• I would like to thank the following people for helping with this research project
• Many thanks to _____without whom I would not have been able to complete this research.
• I would also like to acknowledge _________ for their participation and engagement. 
• I would like to express my gratitude to ______ for providing valuable suggestions that helped guide this entire project.
• I would like to thank ____  from the bottom of my heart for their constant support, guidance and encouragement.
• Special thanks to ______ for their invaluable advice, continuous support, and patience during my research
• I would like to extend my sincere thanks to ____ for their assistance at every stage of the research project.
• ___ provided constant encouragement and was always willing and enthusiastic to assist in any way he/she could throughout the research project.
• I am grateful to have the pleasure of working with 
• I am deeply grateful to _____ for their unwavering support and belief in me
• I wish to thank my loving and supportive partner/parents/friends

Also Read: How to Write a Motivation Letter for PhD Programs?

• Do check if the university has provided guidelines to write an acknowledgement
• Do Make sure that you include individuals who directly helped you in the process.
• Do keep the tone informal and personal.
• Do use the full name and appropriate titles and qualifications.
• Do remember to keep the acknowledgement of the appropriate length. 
• Don’t thank each and every member of your family unless someone was particularly inspiring or supportive.
• Don’t overlook anybody, especially people you know and have helped you in a professional capacity, even if their contribution was very little.
• Don’t forget to revise the acknowledgement and remove any redundancies.  

Must Read: Dissertation vs Thesis

I’ve seen that a surprising percentage of students submit proposal draughts with the acknowledgements section fully prepared. “The more portions I do now, the less I’ll have to do later,” we imagine the reasoning goes. It’s also understandable that filling up a part that doesn’t require any citations is appealing.

While there’s nothing wrong with planning out your acknowledgements section ahead of time, it’s preferable to store it apart from your proposal document. Your Chair and committee members may find it weird to be acknowledged before they’ve finished assisting you through the dissertation process, as acknowledgements are intended to be written retroactively.

It’s pointless to use your prologue and acknowledgement in your thesis at the same time. What is the best way to make this decision? Write a prologue if you wish to express gratitude and give readers further information. Write your thesis acknowledgement if you don’t have enough room.

• You should thank the department, staff, or funding organizations who helped you with your project in a separate acknowledgement section of your thesis. Find excellent thank-you letter templates to express thanks to individuals who have supported you financially, given you positive feedback, or benefited you in any other way. Your thank-you notes function as a formal recognition of your thesis.
• Because there is a political consideration to consider when writing, professional acknowledgements should come first. Check your list of collaborators to discover whether any academics supported you in the creation of this crucial publication.
• Before you begin writing, make a list of anybody who is linked to your project in any way. Some of them will read or edit your work, while others will listen to your academic problems or support you regularly. Mention friends or family members who are pursuing graduate degrees.

The acknowledgement portion of your dissertation is the section with the least amount of control. There aren’t any particular headers or word counts required. I recommend that you take your time and reflect on the people that assisted you in completing your journey and express your gratitude to them. You may send them a note or invite them to dinner, which is a fantastic idea. However, a lasting acknowledgement in your dissertation serves as a reminder to yourself and the rest of the world that these people had a significant impact on your life and future. The acknowledgement page of several pleased parents has been framed! Remember that, while this is your chance to express gratitude to people, how you do so (and the care with which you do so) reflects who you are. Even if you’re weary of writing, it’s important to put actual effort into this part since it will communicate who you are as a person to everyone who reads it.

You should recognize people who supported you academically or professionally, such as your supervisor, funders, and other academics, first in the acknowledgements of your thesis or dissertation. Then you may express your gratitude to friends, family members, or anybody else who helped you along the way.

The acknowledgements are usually found at the very beginning of your thesis, immediately following the title page and before the abstract.

To begin, make a list of persons you’d want to thank in your dissertation acknowledgements. In the following step, start with the official and work your way down to the informal, thus supervisors, mentors, committees, and other professional relationships should be included first. Then you may go on to personal expressions of gratitude, which might include friends, family, and even pets.

Want to pursue a PhD Abroad? Then wait no more, call our Leverage Edu experts at 1800 572 000 and get started on your application process and research proposal!

Team Leverage Edu

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

Leaving already?

8 Universities with higher ROI than IITs and IIMs

Grab this one-time opportunity to download this ebook

Connect With Us

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

September 2024

January 2025

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

• View all journals
• Explore content
• About the journal
• Publish with us
• Sign up for alerts
• Open access
• Published: 22 August 2024

Synthesis and evaluation of anti-PD-L1-B11 antibody fragments for PET imaging of PD-L1 in breast cancer and melanoma tumor models

• Aditya Bansal 1 ,
• Roxane R. Lavoie 2 ,
• Fabrice Lucien 2 , 4 ,
• Manasa Kethamreddy 1 ,
• Bharath Wootla 3 ,
• Haidong Dong 2 , 4 ,
• Sean S. Park 5 &
• Mukesh K. Pandey 1  

Scientific Reports volume  14 , Article number:  19561 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

Metrics details

• Biochemistry

There is a critical need to non-invasively assess the PD-L1 expression in tumors as a predictive biomarker for determining the efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapies. Non-invasive imaging modality like positron emission tomography (PET) can be a powerful tool to assess the PD-L1 expression in the whole body including multiple metastases as a patient selection criterion for the anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. In this study, we synthesized B11-nanobody, B11-scFv and B11-diabody fragments from the full-length anti-PD-L1 B11 IgG. Out of the three antibody fragments, B11-diabody showed higher nM affinity towards PD-L1 antigen as compared to B11-scFv and B11-nanobody. All three antibody fragments were successfully radiolabeled with 64 Cu, a PET radioisotope. For radiolabeling, the antibody fragments were first conjugated with p-SCN-Bn-NOTA followed by chelation with 64 Cu. All three radiolabeled antibody fragments were found to be stable in mouse and human sera for up to 24 h. Additionally, all three [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-antibody fragments were evaluated in PD-L1 negative and human PD-L1 expressing cancer cells and subcutaneous tumor models. Based on the results, [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody has potential to be used as a PET imaging probe for assessing PD-L1 expression in tumors as early as 4 h post-injection, allowing faster assessment compared to the full length IgG based PET imaging probe.

Similar content being viewed by others

Evaluation of an 131 I-labeled HER2-specific single domain antibody fragment for the radiopharmaceutical therapy of HER2-expressing cancers

Evaluation of an antibody-PNA conjugate as a clearing agent for antibody-based PNA-mediated radionuclide pretargeting

Synthesis and comparative evaluation of 177 Lu-labeled PEG and non-PEG variant peptides as HER2-targeting probes

Introduction.

T-lymphocytes or T-cells are part of our immune system that fight against foreign agents, germs, and diseases 1 . In human body, naïve T-cells circulate in the peripheral blood and lymphatics and on encountering foreign antigens presented by antigen presenting cells, naïve T cells get activated, self-proliferate, and differentiate into effector T-cells to mount a highly effective adaptive immune response against the foreign invaders 1 . Although activation of immune response is beneficial and needed to fight against any foreign invasion, overactivation or dysregulated immune response can be harmful as observed in autoimmune disorders 2 . To protect the body from dysregulated T-cell mediated immune response, immune regulators, such as cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) or programmed death-1 receptor protein (PD-1) 2 , are present on the surface of T-cells. PD-1 receptor exerts its role of immune suppressor by binding its ligand, programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), which is expressed in both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells like T-cells, B-cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, antigen-presenting cells, vascular endothelial cells, fibroblastic reticular cells, astrocytes, neurons, cells in placenta, retina, lung, liver, skin and pancreatic islets 3 . Binding of the PD-1 receptor in T-cells to PD-L1 ligand initiates suppressive immune pathway in two ways: first by counteracting immune stimulatory signaling pathways in the activated T-cells and second, by preventing activation of new naïve T-cells 3 . Modulation of PD-L1 expression in variety of tissues has been reported to affect immune responses in autoimmune diseases, transplantation and pregnancy 3 . The existence of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction is crucial for balancing immune responses in healthy human body but cancer cells use it for its own advantage. High PD-L1 expression on cancer cells uses this PD-1/PD-L1 interaction to shield itself from the immune response by evading T-cell induced killing of cancer cells 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 .

As a result, high expression of PD-L1 on surface of tumor cells is associated with poor clinical outcome in variety of cancers such as gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and bladder cancer 10 , 11 . Various clinical trials have demonstrated immunotherapies that involve blocking interaction of PD-1 and PD-L1 using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), and had shown an impressive long-term disease-free survival in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) 12 , 13 , renal cell carcinoma (RCC) 14 , bladder cancer 15 and breast cancer 16 .

Despite clinical success of PD-1/PD-L1 targeted immunotherapies, only 15–30% of cancer patients positively respond to the therapy 17 . Among these cancer patients, when stratified based on PD-L1 expression, PD-L1 positive tumors are known to respond better to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy (~ 48% overall response rate) as compared to the PD-L1 negative tumors (~ 15% overall response rate) 18 . Moreover, a low PD-L1 expression has been observed in tumors with high tumor mutation burden, which is often associated with resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade 19 . In addition, conventional chemotherapies and radiotherapies have been reported to increase PD-L1 expression in treated tumors, making them good candidates for PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy 20 , 21 . For effective management of cancer patients, knowing the PD-L1 expression in all metastases within a patient can be a predictive biomarker for PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy outcome and guide clinicians to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade versus other systemic therapies.

Currently, PD-L1 expression is detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) following tumor biopsy and PD-L1 expression score from the IHC assay and is used as an eligibility criteria for PD-1/PD-L1 targeted therapeutics 22 , 23 . Although useful but IHC based assessment of PD-L1 expression is prone to error due to the heterogenous expression of PD-L1 in tumors and biopsy sampling error 22 , 23 . To overcome the current challenges in PD-L1 expression assessment for diagnostic and therapeutic monitoring, a non-invasive positron emission tomography (PET) imaging based assessment of PD-L1 expression will be highly valuable. This will allow more accurate assessment of PD-L1 expression of all metastases (quantitative) and metastatic lesion’s microenvironment (qualitative) and also enable detection of temporal changes in PD-L1 expression in tumor before and after therapy for prognosis of treatment and optimal patient management.

To develop PET probe for assessing PD-L1 expression, various radiolabeled anti-PD-L1 antibodies/peptides as PET probes have been developed and tested in both preclinical and clinical settings 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , in fact selective PET probes can be developed from novel antibodies or proteins with high affinity towards PD-L1 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 . Various therapeutic antibodies like atezolizumab (Tecentriq) 29 , avelumab (Bavencio) 30 or durvalumab (Imfinzi) 31 were radiolabeled with Zr-89 as imaging probes. Therapeutic antibody derived imaging probes are valuable approach to understand PD-L1 expression, but therapeutic antibodies are designed to have a long serum half-life (> 12 days) for better anti-tumor effect with reduced number of doses 32 . However, for a good imaging probe, administered PET probes should be cleared faster from the blood circulation and from off target locations for a better tumor to background signal. Furthermore, radiolabeled therapeutic mAbs will compete with therapeutic antibody for the same epitope which may limit their use in monitoring therapy response during treatment. In search of an appropriate antibody against PD-L1, that could be used as an imaging probe for PD-L1, we selected anti-PD-L1-B11 antibody, a recently in-house developed antibody having a nanomolar affinity against PD-L1. We have been using our in-house developed anti-PD-L1-B11 antibody in an “Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay” (ELISA) based PD-L1 quantification in plasma 33 . This anti-PD-L1-B11 antibody showed a faster serum clearance in NOD-SCID mouse than atezolizumab post intravenous administration, making it a better imaging candidate than the atezolizumab for in vivo quantification of PD-L1 expression 34 .

Previously, we radiolabeled the full length anti-PD-L1-B11 humanized variant HC4LC4 with Zr-89 as [ 89 Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS-anti-PD-L1-B11 and tested for human PD-L1 (hPD-L1) imaging in PD-L1+ tumor models 34 . The [ 89 Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS-anti-PD-L1-B11 showed higher uptake in PD-L1+ tumors than [ 89 Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS-atezolizumab at day-3 and day-5 post-injection in a melanoma mouse model 34 . Apart from having higher uptake than [ 89 Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS-atezolizumab, another advantage of [ 89 Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS-anti-PD-L1-B11 was that it bound to the PD-L1 antigen at a different epitope than the atezolizumab and also potentially to other PD-L1 therapeutic antibodies, allowing use of [ 89 Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS-anti-PD-L1-B11 for assessing PD-L1 expression during PD-L1 targeted therapeutics without any interference from the therapeutic antibodies 34 .

Our previous study with [ 89 Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS-anti-PD-L1-B11 showed significantly higher tumor uptake at day-3 and day-5 post-injection in in vivo tumor model system. However, in a clinical setting, uptake time of 5–7 days post injection can be logistically difficult and inconvenient to the patients. Having a smaller antibody fragments with similar affinity but a shorter uptake time of 3–4 h would be ideal for a good PET imaging probe to assess PD-L1 expression 35 . Therefore, in this study, we designed, synthesized, radiolabeled, and evaluated three antibody fragments derived from humanized anti-PD-L1-B11 full length antibody, (i) B11-nanobody (~ 15 kDa), (ii) B11-scFv (~ 25 kDa) and (iii) B11-diabody (~ 50 kDa) (Fig.  1 ) as PET imaging probes for detection of PD-L1 expression in melanoma and breast cancer mouse models.

Illustration showing structure of anti-PD-L1-B11 variant HC4LC4 full length IgG (~ 150 kDa) and derived antibody fragments: B11-nanobody (~ 15 kDa), B11-scFv (~ 25 kDa) and B11-diabody (~ 50 kDa).

Results and discussion

Synthesis and binding affinities of antibody fragments.

The three fragments of humanized anti-PD-L1-B11 variant HC4LC4 (~ 150 kDa): B11-diabody (~ 50 kDa), B11-scFv (~ 25 kDa) and B11-nanobody (~ 15 kDa) were successfully synthesized. The interaction of hPD-L1 with a well-known antibody atezolizumab, parent anti-PD-L1-B11 full-length humanized antibody variant HC4LC4, B11-diabody, B11-scFvand B11-nanobody were assessed, and their kinetic parameters are compared and summarized in Table 1 . The equilibrium dissociation constant (K D  = k d /k a ) for HC4LC4 with hPD-L1 was found to be in nM range (K D  = 0.629 nM), typical for a high affinity interaction, similar to K D (0.19–0.43 nM) observed for the atezolizumab and hPD-L1 interaction 34 , 36 . The equilibrium dissociation constant of the interaction between largest fragment, B11-diabody (~ 50 kDa) and hPD-L1 was 1.38 nM, which was relatively lower but in nanomolar range. The B11-scFv, which was smaller in size (~ 25 kDa) than B11-diabody (~ 50 kDa) showed significantly lower affinity towards PD-L1 (K D  = 25.1 nM). On the other hand, the smallest of the three fragments, B11-nanobody (~ 15 kDa) showed no binding to hPD-L1. Other kinetic parameters were also compared such as the association and dissociation rate constants. The association rate constant (k a ) of B11-diabody and B11-scFv with hPD-L1 were similar to HC4LC4 and atezolizumab’s interactions with hPD-L1 suggesting that the rate of formation of complex with the antibody fragments and hPD-L1 did not change as compared to the full-length antibody. On the other hand, if we concentrate on dissociation rates of various antibody fragments and full-length antibody with hPD-L1, the highest dissociation rate constant (k d ) was observed for the B11-scFv than for the B11-diabody and then for full length humanized anti-PD-L1-B11 variant HC4LC4 making B11-scFv less desirable than B11-diabody as an imaging probe.

The binding affinity of an antibody to its target antigen is dependent on electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions and inter-molecular forces like hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals forces 37 . Out of the three antibody fragments evaluated in this study, scFv and nanobody are monovalent with one antigen-binding site compared to its parent full-length IgG, which is bivalent with two antigen-binding sites. Monovalent and bivalent antibodies or antibody fragment(s) can have different electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions with the same antigen. This phenomenon is known as “avidity effect”. We think, “avidity effect” is the plausible reason for low to no binding affinity of B11-scFv and B11-nanobody to hPD-L1, influencing binding affinities of monovalent antibodies or antibody fragments towards their antigen 38 , 39 .

A PET imaging probe developed based on smaller fragment will be cleared faster from the body but a high binding affinity with tumor antigen is needed which depends on the association and dissociation rate of the interactions. A threshold binding affinity will allow enough time to visualize the expression of PD-L1 (antigen) on the tumor even with faster clearance. There is a well-documented relationship between size of the antibody fragments and kinetic parameters that plays a role in determining the clearance rate of the administered antibody fragment, the rate of uptake and retention of the antibody fragments in the tumor 35 , 40 . As a consequence, it was prudent to test all three antibody fragments as PD-L1 imaging probes. Therefore, all three fragments of humanized anti-PD-L1-B11 antibody were radiolabeled and evaluated.

Radiolabeling of antibody fragments

Conjugation of B11-antibody fragments were performed as described in method section and characterized by MALDI-TOF (Supplementary Information, Figs. S1 – S3 ). Based on MALDI-TOF analysis, the B11-diabody itself had a molecular weight of ~ 48.93 kDa, which increased to ~ 49.59 kDa after p-SCN-Bn-NOTA conjugation due to the formation of B11-diabody-Bn-NOTA. On a careful MALDI-TOF data analysis, we found an average of ~ 1.5 molecules of p-SCN-Bn-NOTA were conjugated to each molecule of B11-diabody. It is possible that some of the B11-diabody molecules were conjugated with only one molecule of p-SCN-Bn-NOTA and some others were conjugated with two of the p-SCN-Bn-NOTA resulting in an average of ~ 1.5 molecules of p-SCN-Bn-NOTA conjugation per B11-diabody molecule. In the case of B11-scFv, we observed a molecular weight of ~ 25.23 kDa for B11-scFv and ~ 25.80 kDa for B11-scFv-Bn-NOTA suggesting 1:1 conjugation between B11-scFv and p-SCN-Bn-NOTA. In the case of B11-nanobody, we observed a molecular weight of ~ 13.53 kDa for B11-nanobody and ~ 13.98 kDa for B11-nanobody-Bn-NOTA suggesting 1:1 conjugation. After conjugation and purification, 64 Cu was chelated to the purified NOTA conjugated antibody fragments in a sodium acetate buffer at pH 5.0 for 10 min and repurified using a size exclusion PD-10 column to separate unchelated 64 Cu from [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-antibody fragments. The radiolabeling efficiency of > 99% was achieved after 10 min of incubation for all NOTA-Bn-NCS conjugated antibody fragments (Table 2 ).

After PD-10 column purification, > 99% radiochemical purity was achieved for all [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-antibody fragments with specific activity and molar activity as shown in Table 3 . The representative radioactive thin layer chromatography (r-TLC) graphs for assessing radiochemical purities of Cu-64 chelated antibody fragments are shown in the Supplementary Information, Fig. S4 .

Stability of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-antibody fragments

The radiochemical stability of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody was tested in phosphate buffered saline (n = 1), mouse serum (n = 2) and human serum (n = 2) at 0 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h and 24 h post incubation time points by r-TLC. The [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody showed relatively better stability in phosphate buffered saline over mouse or human sera at earlier timepoints (up to 2 h) but showed overall better stability in sera than in the phosphate buffered saline for the remaining tested time period after 4 h as summarized in Fig.  2 A with < 7% loss of intact [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody at 24 h of incubation. The radiochemical stability of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv and [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody were also tested in mouse and human sera. Both [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv and [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody showed high stability overtime with < 5% loss of intact [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv and < 1% loss of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody in the sera over 24 h incubation (Fig.  2 B,C).

Stability of (A)  [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody in phosphate buffered saline, mouse and human sera, ( B ) [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv in mouse and human sera, and ( C ) [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody in mouse and human sera.

The high stability of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody, [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv and [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody in mouse and human sera were encouraging and out of the three, in terms of specific activity or molar activity, [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody was the highest followed by [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody and [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv making [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody a promising candidate for PD-L1 imaging than other two antibody fragments. To determine the effect of radiolabeling on structural integrity of B11-diabody, SDS-PAGE was performed in reducing conditions and visualized by silver staining and autoradiography. No negative effect was observed on the structural integrity of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody as the [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody migrated to the expected molecular weight of ~ 25 kDa in reducing conditions (Fig.  3 and Supplementary Information, Fig. S5 ).

( A ) Cropped silver stained SDS-PAGE of diabody (25 kDa; Lane 2) and ( B ) autoradiograph picture of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody (25 kDa; Lane 2). Original SDS-PAGE gel and autoradiograph are presented in Supplementary Fig. S5 .

Characterization of PD-L1 and hPD-L1 expression in mouse melanoma (B16-F10) cells and mouse breast cancer (EO771) cells

Two different sets of cancer cells, mouse melanoma (B6-F10) and mouse breast cancer cells (EO771) were used to test the PD-L1 mediated uptake capability of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody, [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv and [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody in cells. In the melanoma cell line set, we used PD-L1 negative, B16-F10 PD-L1 KO cells as negative control and hPD-L1 expressing B16-F10 hPD-L1+ cells as a positive control, whereas in breast cancer cell lines set, PD-L1 negative EO771 PD-L1 KO was used as a negative control and hPD-L1 overexpressing, EO771 hPD-L1+ was used as a positive control. The absence of expression of PD-L1 antigen in EO771 PD-L1 KO and B16-F10 PD-L1 KO , overexpression of hPD-L1 in EO771 hPD-L1+ and positive expression of hPD-L1 in B16-F10 hPD-L1+ were confirmed by flow cytometry as summarized in the Figs.  4 and 5 .

Flow cytometry histograms showing expression of hPD-L1 in ( A1 ) B16-F10 PD-L1 KO , ( A2 ) B16-F10 hPD-L1+, ( B1 ) EO771 PD-L1 KO , and ( B2 ) EO771 hPD-L1+ cells. Positive expression of hPD-L1 was observed in B16-F10 hPD-L1+ and EO771 hPD-L1+ cells. No hPD-L1 expression was observed in B16-F10 PD-L1 KO and EO771 PD-L1 KO cells.

Mean fluorescence intensity of B16-F10 hPD-L1+ and EO771 hPD-L1+ cells stained with isotype control and anti-PD-L1. The EO771 hPD-L1+ cells showed higher expression of hPD-L1 as compared to B16-F10 hPD-L1+ cells.

In vitro characterization of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-antibody fragments

Higher uptake of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody (0.76 ± 0.01%, n = 3) was observed in B16-F10 hPD-L1+ cells as compared to [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv (0.42 ± 0.02%, n = 3) (Table 4 ). Observed uptake results are consistent with the kinetic data of the antibody and antibody fragments (Table 1 ), where B11-diabody showed higher affinity towards PD-L1 as compared to B11-scFv. It was encouraging to observe that the uptake of radiolabeled antibody fragments was specific to PD-L1 antigen as there was significantly lower uptake of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody and [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv in the B16-F10 PD-L1 KO cells as compared to the B16-F10 hPD-L1+ cells. The decreased uptake of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody and [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv in the B16-F10 hPD-L1+ cells upon blocking with anti-PD-L1 HC4LC4 IgG also corroborated the PD-L1 selective uptake of radiolabeled anti-PD-L1 diabody and scFv fragments (Table 4 ). The uptake of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody in the B16-F10 hPD-L1+ cells seems to be non-PD-L1 specific as upon blocking with parent anti-PD-L1 HC4LC4 IgG had no effect on uptake of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody in the B16-F10 hPD-L1+ cells (Table 4 ). Additionally, a high uptake of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody in the B16-F10 hPD-L1 KO cells (0.40 ± 0.01%) (Table 4 ) further corroborates its non PD-L1 specific uptake.

The uptake of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody was also assessed in the EO771 PD-L1 KO breast cancer cells and hPD-L1 overexpressing EO771 hPD-L1+ breast cancer cells. A significantly higher uptake of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody was observed in EO771 hPD-L1+ cells (2.48 ± 0.05%/10 6 cells/2 h; n = 3) as compared to EO771 PD-L1 KO cells (0.68 ± 0.02%/10 6 cells/2 h; n = 3) (Fig. 6 ). Additionally uptake profile of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody in the B16-F10 hPD-L1+ cells (0.76 ± 0.01%/10 6 cells/2 h ; n = 3) (Fig.  6 ), and in EO771 hPD-L1+ cells (2.48 ± 0.05%/10 6 cells/2 h; n = 3) were found to be consistent with PD-L1 expression as observed by the flow cytometry (Figs.  4 and 5 ).

Uptake of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody in ( A ) B16-F10 PD-L1 KO cancer cells and B16-F10 hPD-L1+ cells and in ( B ) EO771 PD-L1 KO and hPD-L1 overexpressing EO771 hPD-L1+ cells. # p  < 0.05 B16-F10 hPD-L1+ vs B16-F10 PD-L1 KO (n = 3), * p  < 0.05 EO771 hPD-L1+ vs EO771 PD-L1 KO (n = 3).

In vivo characterization of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-antibody fragments

Based on the in vitro results, both [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody and [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv could be a promising imaging candidates, while [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody seemed to be less desirable than the two. To further test their performance, the radiolabeled PD-L1 targeting PET probes, [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody, [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv and [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody, were evaluated in a PD-L1 KO mouse tumor model bearing subcutaneous B16-F10 PD-L1 KO and B16-F10 hPD-L1+ tumors. The uptake was assessed in major organs and tumors at multiple time points after tail vein injection. In this model, only B16-F10 hPD-L1+ tumors expressed hPD-L1 and there was no background mouse PD-L1 expression or hPD-L1 expression in the mouse and B16-F10 PD-L1 KO tumors . Among the three, uptake of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody was assessed by PET imaging at 2 h, 4 h and 6 h after tail vein injection, which is consistent with the time frame in which nanobody based PET probes are able to visualize tumors expressing their target antigens 41 . The administered [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody was rapidly excreted with majority of the radioactivity in kidney (SUV = 20.54 ± 2.46, n = 6) and bladder (SUV = 6.99 ± 2.58, n = 6) as early as 2 h after tail vein injection with no uptake in B16-F10 PD-L1 KO and B16-F10 hPD-L1+ tumors (Supplementary Information, Table S1 and Fig. S6 ). In the case of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv, uptake of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv was assessed by PET imaging at 2 h, 4 h, 6 h and 24 h after tail vein injection. The majority of uptake was observed in liver, kidney and bladder as early as 2 h post-injection and continued until 4 h post injection (Supplementary Information, Table S2 and Fig. S7 ). At 6 h and 24 h post-injection, majority of the radioactivity shifted to kidney and bladder showing slower clearance of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv as compared to [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody (Supplementary Information, Table S1 , Table S2 and Figs. S7 – S9 ). No uptake of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv was observed in the B16-F10 PD-L1 KO and B16-F10 hPD-L1+ tumors (Supplementary Information, Fig. S7 ). Comparing the B11-scFv and B11-nanobody based PET probes, although [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv showed slower clearance that [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody, the higher affinity of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv for hPD-L1 as compared to [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody was not sufficient to allow appreciable tumor uptake in PD-L1 expressing tumor. The performance of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody was tested in both melanoma and breast cancer tumor models. In the melanoma tumor model, the animal underwent PET scan at 0 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 24 h and 48 h post-injection of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody. High PET signal was observed in heart at 0 h post-injection representing blood pool activity which was drastically decreased at 2 h post-injection and continued to decrease at successive time point post-injection as shown in Fig.  7 . At all-time points post-injection, [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody was majorly taken up by kidney, bladder and liver (Figs.  7 , 8 and Supplementary Information, Table S3 ).

Representative PET images showing biodistribution of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody in PD-L1KO mouse bearing B16-F10 PD-L1 KO and B16-F10 hPD-L1+ melanoma tumors.

Uptake of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody in organs at multiple time points post-injection with major accumulation of the administered [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody in liver, kidney and bladder in PD-L1 KO mouse bearing B16-F10 PD-L1 KO and B16-F10 hPD-L1+ melanoma tumors.

In the melanoma tumor models, [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody was able to differentiate between B16-F10 hPD-L1+ tumors and B16-F10 PD-L1 KO tumors at 4 h post-injection (Figs.  7 and 9 ). The SUV max for B16-F10 hPD-L1+ tumors was 1.06 ± 0.33 (n = 4) which was higher than SUV max for B16-F10 PD-L1 KO , 0.82 ± 0.28 (n = 4) with p = 0.006 (paired Student t -test), The SUV max Tumor:Muscle ratio of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody in B16-F10 hPD-L1+ tumors was ~ 1.3× more than SUV max Tumor: Muscle ratio observed in B16-F10 PD-L1 KO tumors at 4 h post-injection (paired Student t -test; p value = 0.0092) (Figs.  7 and 9 ).

Uptake of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody in B16-F10 PD-L1 KO and B16-F10 hPD-L1+ melanoma tumors. * p  = 0.0092 B16-F10 hPD-L1+ vs B16-F10 PD-L1 KO (n = 4).

Whereas, in animals bearing breast cancer tumors, at 4 h post-injection, no statistical difference (paired Student t -test) was observed in the SUV max for hPD-L1 overexpressing, EO771 hPD-L1+ tumor (3.15 ± 0.38; n = 6) and SUV max for EO771 PD-L1 KO tumor (2.74 ± 0.37; n = 6). On the other hand, statistical difference was observed between SUV max Tumor: Muscle ratio in EO771 hPD-L1+ and EO771 PD-L1 KO tumor by paired Student t -test (p = 0.025; n = 6).The SUV max Tumor: Muscle ratio of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody in EO771 hPD-L1+ tumors was ~ 1.7× more than SUV max Tumor: Muscle ratio in EO771 PD-L1 KO tumors at 4 h post-injection (Figs.  10 and 11 ). The ~ 1.7× difference in uptake of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody in EO771 PD-L1 KO and EO771 hPD-L1+ tumor which is higher than ~ 1.3× observed for B16-F10 PD-L1 KO and B16-F10 hPD-L1+. It was expected as EO771 hPD-L1+ had higher expression of hPD-L1 than B16-F10 hPD-L1+ as shown by FACS (Figs.  4 and 5 ). This suggested that [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody was capable in differentiating tumors with variable PD-L1 expression. It was encouraging to observe that [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody was able to differentiate between PD-L1 negative tumor and PD-L1 expressing tumor at 4 h post-injection, which was not possible in the case of full length antibody based PET probes 29 , 31 , 34 and required more than 4 days’ time after injection for getting a high tumor:background contrast for visualization of PD-L1 expression. Obtained result showed the utility of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody in detecting differences in PD-L1 expression on the same day of tracer injection as compared to full length IgG based PET probes.

Representative PET images showing biodistribution of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody in PD-L1KO mouse bearing EO771 PD-L1 KO and EO771 hPD-L1+ breast cancer tumors.

Uptake of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody in EO771 PD-L1 KO and EO771 hPD-L1+ breast cancer tumors. * p  = 0.0493 EO771 hPD-L1+ vs EO771 PD-L1 KO (n = 6).

Conclusions

We have successfully synthesized B11-nanobody, B11-scFv and B11-diabody from the full-length anti-PD-L1 B11 IgG antibody, radiolabeled them with 64 Cu in a good yield and evaluated them in breast cancer and melanoma models. Among the tested humanized antibody fragments, B11-diabody was found to be more promising as compared to the B11-scFv and B11-nanobody. Our finding showed that [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody can be used as a PET imaging probe to detect differences in PD-L1 expression in tumors as early as 4 h post-injection allowing faster assessment of PD-L1 expression in tumors as compared to PET imaging probe developed based on the full length IgG. Faster PET imaging-based assessment of PD-L1 expression is of high clinical value and perceived to help oncologists in a better patient centric management of anti-PD-L1 immunotherapies.

General consideration

64 Cu was purchased from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The silica gel radioactive thin layer chromatography (r-TLC) was purchased from Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA. p-SCN-Bn-NOTA (B-605) was purchased from Macrocylics, Plano, TX. The trace metal grade sodium carbonate, sodium citrate dihydrate, sodium acetate trihydrate and phosphate buffered saline were purchased from Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, MO. PD-10 Desalting Columns containing Sephadex G-25 resin were obtained from Cytiva, Marlborough, MA.

E0771 mouse triple-negative breast cancer cell line was obtained from Robin L. Anderson at Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (Heidelberg, Australia) 42 and B16-F10 mouse melanoma cell line was obtained from American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA. PD-L1 was knocked-out by CRISPR/Cas9 technology from EO771 and B16-F10 cells to generate PD-L1 negative EO771-PD-L1 KO 42 and B16-F10-PD-L1 KO 43 cells at Mayo Clinic Rochester in the Dr. H. Dong’s laboratory. hPD-L1 was expressed in EO771-PD-L1 KO and B16-F10-PD-L1 KO cell line to generate human PDL1 expressing EO771 hPD-L1+ 42 and B16-F10 hPD-L1+ 43 cells.

PD-L1 knockout (KO) C57BL/6 mice were produced at Mayo Clinic and maintained in the animal facility at the Department of Comparative Medicine, Mayo Clinic Rochester. At the time of injection, the animals bearing breast cancer tumors were females with body weight of 32.7 ± 9.4 g (n = 6) and animals bearing melanoma tumors were in 1:1 male and female ratio, and body weight of 30.44 ± 6.52 g (n = 16).

Tumor models

PD-L1 knockout (KO) C57BL/6 mice were injected subcutaneously with 0.5 × 10 6 B16-F10 hPD-L1+ cells or EO771 hPD-L1+ in the right flank and 0.5 × 10 6 B16-F10-PD-L1 KO cells or EO771-PD-L1 KO in the left flank. Perpendicular tumor diameters were measured using a digital caliper and tumor sizes were calculated as length × width. On day 6, when primary tumors were palpable, animals were randomly assigned to groups.

The MALDI-TOF analysis of antibody fragments was performed at the Mass Spectrometry Facility, School of Chemical Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Antibody fragments

The murine monoclonal antibody, anti-PD-L1-B11 that targets hPD-L1 were generated as previously described 34 . The sequence of murine monoclonal antibody, anti-PD-L1-B11 variant HC4LC4 34 was used to generate B11-nanobody, B11-scFv and B11-diabody by Fusion Antibodies Ltd. (Belfast, UK). The analysis of kinetic parameters was performed in triplicate for each antibody fragment by Fusion Antibodies Ltd. (Belfast, UK) on Octet ® Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI) systems (Sartorius, Fremont, CA).

Flow cytometry analysis

The assessment of expression of PD-L1 antigen in mouse breast cancer cells (EO771) with hPD-L1 (EO771 hPD-L1+) and without hPD-L1 expression (EO771 PD-L1 KO ) or mouse melanoma cancer cells (B16-F10) with hPD-L1 (B16-F10 hPD-L1+) and without hPD-L1 expression (B16-F10 PD-L1 KO ) were performed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). The cells were stained with fluorescent control and anti-PD-L1 antibody clone: 29E.2A3 (BioLegend, SanDiego, CA). After staining, cells were washed three times with wash buffer (1× PBS, 2 mM EDTA, and 3% FBS) before analysis. At least 1 × 10 5 viable cells were live gated on FACS Cailbur (BD Biosciences) instrumentation. FACS analysis was performed using FlowJo software (Tree Star, Ashland, OR).

Radiosynthesis of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-antibody fragments

The B11 antibody fragments (B11-diabody, B11-scFv and B11-nanobody) was first conjugated with a bifunctional chelator p-SCN-Bn-NOTA using 1:6 equivalent of B11-antibody fragments to p-SCN-Bn-NOTA in a phosphate buffered saline medium of pH 9.0 at 37 °C for 60 min followed by an additional incubation at 25 °C for 10 h in a thermomixer. After final incubation, the NOTA conjugated B11-antibody fragments were separated from unreacted p-SCN-Bn-NOTA using PD-10 Desalting Column. The purified NOTA-B11-antibody fragment fraction was identified by assessing protein concentration in different fractions by Bradford assay 44 . The fractions with high protein concentration were freeze-dried and reconstituted in water at a final protein concentration of 5 mg/mL for NOTA-B11-scFv and NOTA-B11-diabody and 10 mg/mL for NOTA-B11-nanobody. The conjugation of p-SCN-Bn-NOTA to B11-antibody fragments were characterized by MALDI-TOF. The chelation of 64 Cu with NOTA-B11-antibody fragments were performed in 0.20 M sodium acetate buffer pH 5.0 for 10 min. The chelation efficiencies were assessed by r-TLC with 0.10 M sodium citrate pH 5.0 as r-TLC mobile phase and analyzed using r-TLC scanner (Eckert and Ziegler, Valencia, CA). The amount of radioactivity and NOTA-B11-antibody fragments used in multiple chelation reactions are summarized in Table 5 . After chelation, the [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-antibody fragments were purified using PD-10 Desalting column and obtained fraction with a high specific activity was used for stability, in vitro and in vivo studies.

Stability studies

Stability of [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-antibody fragments were assessed in phosphate buffered saline, human and mouse sera. To perform this stability assay, [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody (~ 22.16 µCi or 0.82 MBq), [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv (~ 10.54 µCi 0.39 MBq) and [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody (~ 36.76 µCi or 1.36 MBq) was mixed with phosphate buffered saline, human or mouse serum in 1:1 v:v ratio in a microcentrifuge tube. Resultant mixtures were incubated at 25 °C for 24 h. To assess the stability of [ 64 Cu]Cu-antibody fragments, ~ 0.5 μL incubation mixture was taken out each time from the whole mixture at 0 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 24 h timepoints, and analyzed on a r-TLC using 0.10 M sodium citrate pH 5.0 as a mobile phase. The origin (Rf = ~ 0) represented intact [ 64 Cu]Cu-antibody fragment and solvent front (Rf =  ∼ 1) represented unchelated 64 Cu.

Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and autoradiography

The SDS-PAGE was performed as per the established protocol 45 , 46 . The diabody and [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody were diluted with 2× Laemmli sample buffer (1:1, v:v) (Bio-Rad laboratories, Hercules, CA) + 1× NuPAGE Sample Reducing Agent (Life Technologies Corporation, Carlsbad CA). The diluted protein samples were reduced at 80 °C for 3 min. The reduced proteins were resolved by one-dimensional SDS-PAGE in 10.0% Mini-PROTEAN TGX Gel (Bio-Rad laboratories, Hercules, CA) using 1× Tris–Glycine-SDS running buffer. After electrophoresis, autoradiography was performed for detecting [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody in the gel using a Cyclone Plus Storage Phosphor System (PerkinElmer Corporation, Waltham, MA) and visualized by Image J software 47 . Following electrophoresis, gels were silver stained using the ProteoSilver Plus Silver Stain Kit (Sigma, St. Louis, MO).

In vitro uptake assay

For in vitro uptake assay, EO771 PD-L1 KO and B16-F10 PD-L1 KO cancer cells, B16-F10 hPD-L1+ cells and EO771 hPD-L1+ cells were plated in a 6-well plate at a concentration of 1 × 10 6 cells/well. After overnight culture, [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody (~ 7.1 pmol/well; 48.93 GBq/µmol), [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv (~ 7.0 pmol/well; 49.09 GBq/µmol), [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody (~ 7.2 pmol/well; 9.97 GBq/µmol) were added to each well and cells were incubated for 2 h at 37 °C. Following incubation with radiolabeled antibody fragments, the cells were washed with cold hanks buffered salt solution (HBSS) three times. After washing, the cells were lysed in 1 mL of 0.3 N NaOH and 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate and total cellular radioactivity was determined by gamma counting. The uptake was expressed as % dose/1 × 10 6 cells.

PET imaging

In each animal, [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-diabody (48.81 ± 12.56 µCi or 1.81 ± 0.46 MBq; 0.70 ± 0.26 µg protein; n = 10), [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-scFv (20.29 ± 4.81 µCi or 0.75 ± 0.18 MBq; 1.72 ± 0.38 µg protein; n = 6), [ 64 Cu]Cu-NOTA-B11-nanobody (67.91 ± 3.32 µCi or 2.51 ± 0.12 MBq; 4.78 ± 0.25 µg protein; n = 6) were injected via tail vein injection. All the animals were anesthetized for tail vein injection and PET imaging using an induction dose of 3% isoflurane and a maintenance dose of 2–3% isoflurane, which was administered via isoflurane vaporizer. All anesthetized animals were kept warm during imaging using a heat supported imaging chamber. For PET imaging studies, each animal underwent a 10 min static PET scan at different time points post-injection on a small animal micro-PET/X-ray system, Genesys 4 (Sofie BioSystems, Dulles, VA, USA). After final imaging, all the animals were euthanized by the cardiectomy. Obtained PET images were reconstructed using the Genesys 4 imaging software installed on the imaging system. Reconstructed images were visualized, analyzed, and scaled to the SUV using image analysis software, MIM 7.2.7 software (MIM Software Inc., Cleveland, OH, USA), where;

The SUV data was presented as a coronal sectional maximum intensity projection image generated using the MIM 7.2.7 software (MIM Software Inc., Cleveland, OH, USA).

The obtained PET imaging data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel program and the uptake values were compared using paired Student’s t -test analysis. Differences in uptake values were considered statistically significant when p value < 0.05. GraphPad Prism version 10.0.3 for Windows (GraphPad Software, Boston MA) was used for preparing graphs in this study.

Ethical standards

All the animal studies were performed after approval from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of the Mayo Clinic. All methods performed in this study were in accordance with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee’s (IACUC) guidelines and regulation, which is a part of the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the Office of the Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) of the United States. These guidelines are equivalent to the ARRIVE guidelines and therefore all methods were performed in accordance with the ARRIVE guidelines.

Data availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this manuscript and in its supplementary information .

Pennock, N. D. et al. T cell responses: Naive to memory and everything in between. Adv. Physiol. Educ. 37 , 273–283 (2013).

Article   PubMed   PubMed Central   Google Scholar  

Qin, W. et al. The diverse function of PD-1/PD-L pathway beyond cancer. Front. Immunol. 10 , 2298 (2019).

Article   CAS   PubMed   PubMed Central   Google Scholar  

Beenen, A. C., Sauerer, T., Schaft, N. & Dörrie, J. Beyond cancer: Regulation and function of PD-L1 in health and immune-related diseases. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 23 , 8599 (2022).

Dong, H. et al. Tumor associated B7–H1 promotes T-cell apoptosis: A potential mechanism of immune evasion. Nat. Med. 8 , 793–800 (2002).

Article   CAS   PubMed   Google Scholar  

Tamura, H. et al. Marrow stromal cells induce B7–H1 expression on myeloma cells, generating aggressive characteristics in multiple myeloma. Leukemia 27 , 464–472 (2013).

Thompson, R. H., Dong, H. & Kwon, E. D. Implications of B7–H1 expression in clear cell carcinoma of the kidney for prognostication and therapy. Clin. Cancer Res. 13 , 709s–715s (2007).

Thompson, R. H. et al. Costimulatory B7–H1 in renal cell carcinoma patients: Indicator of tumor aggressiveness and potential therapeutic target. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 101 , 17174–17179 (2004).

Article   ADS   CAS   PubMed   PubMed Central   Google Scholar  

Thompson, R. H. et al. Tumor B7–H1 is associated with poor prognosis in renal cell carcinoma patients with longterm follow-up. Cancer Res. 66 , 3381–3385 (2006).

Collins, M., Ling, V. & Carreno, B. M. The B7 family of immune-regulatory ligands. Genome Biol. 6 , 223 (2005).

Wang, X., Teng, F., Kong, L. & Yu, J. PD-L1 expression in human cancers and its association with clinical outcomes. Onco Targets Ther. 9 , 5023–5039 (2016).

Zou, W. & Chen, L. Inhibitory B7-family molecules in the tumour microenvironment. Nat. Rev. Immunol. 8 , 67–477 (2008).

Article   Google Scholar  

Gulley, J. L. et al. Avelumab for patients with previously treated metastatic or recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer (JAVELIN Solid Tumor): Dose-expansion cohort of a multicentre, open-label, phase 1b trial. Lancet Oncol. 18 , 599–610 (2017).

Antonia, S. J. et al. Overall survival with durvalumab after chemoradiotherapy in stage III NSCLC. N. Engl. J. Med. 379 , 2342–2350 (2018).

McDermott, D. F. et al. Atezolizumab, an anti-programmed death-ligand 1 antibody, in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Long-term safety, clinical activity, and immune correlates from a phase Ia study. J. Clin. Oncol. 34 , 833–842 (2016).

Powles, T. et al. MPDL3280A (anti-PD-L1) treatment leads to clinical activity in metastatic bladder cancer. Nature 515 , 558–562 (2014).

Article   ADS   CAS   PubMed   Google Scholar  

Chen, F. et al. Clinical progress of PD-1/L1 inhibitors in breast cancer immunotherapy. Front. Oncol. 11 , 724424 (2022).

Sun, J. Y. et al. Resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade cancer immunotherapy: Mechanisms, predictive factors, and future perspectives. Biomark. Res. 8 , 35 (2020).

Sunshine, J. & Taube, J. M. PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Curr. Opin. Pharmacol. 23 , 32–38 (2015).

Lei, Q., Wang, D., Sun, K., Wang, L. & Zhang, Y. Resistance mechanisms of anti-PD1/PDL1 therapy in solid tumors. Front. Cell Dev. Biol. 8 , 672 (2020).

Article   ADS   PubMed   PubMed Central   Google Scholar  

Guo, L. et al. Variation of programmed death ligand 1 expression after platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in lung cancer. J. Immunother. 42 , 215–220 (2019).

Wang, N. H. et al. Radiation-induced PD-L1 expression in tumor and its microenvironment facilitates cancer-immune escape: A narrative review. Ann. Transl. Med. 10 , 1406 (2022).

Ilie, M. et al. Comparative study of the PD-L1 status between surgically resected specimens and matched biopsies of NSCLC patients reveal major discordances: A potential issue for anti-PD-L1 therapeutic strategies. Ann. Oncol. 27 , 147–153 (2016).

Patel, S. P. & Kurzrock, R. PD-L1 expression as a predictive biomarker in cancer immunotherapy. Mol. Cancer Ther. 14 , 847–856 (2015).

Brown, E. L., DeWeerd, R. A., Zidel, A. & Pereira, P. M. R. Preclinical antibody-PET imaging of PD-L1. Front. Nucl. Med. 2 , 953202 (2022).

Zhou, X. et al. First-in-humans evaluation of a PD-L1-binding peptide PET radiotracer in non-small cell lung cancer patients. J. Nucl. Med. 63 , 536–542 (2022).

Niemeijer, A. N. et al. Whole body PD-1 and PD-L1 positron emission tomography in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. Nat. Commun. 9 , 4664 (2018).

Giesen, D. et al. Probody therapeutic design of 89 Zr-CX-072 promotes accumulation in PD-L1-expressing tumors compared to normal murine lymphoid tissue. Clin. Cancer Res. 26 , 3999–4009 (2020).

Ruijter, L. K. et al. First-in-human study of the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of 89Zr-CX-072, a novel immunopet tracer based on an anti-PD-L1 probody. Clin. Cancer Res. 27 , 5325–5333 (2021).

Bensch, F. et al. 89 Zr-atezolizumab imaging as a non-invasive approach to assess clinical response to PD-L1 blockade in cancer. Nat. Med. 24 , 1852–1858 (2018).

Jagoda, E. M. et al. Immuno-PET imaging of the programmed cell death-1 ligand (PD-L1) using a zirconium-89 labeled therapeutic antibody, avelumab. Mol. Imaging 18 , 1536012119829986 (2019).

Smit, J. et al. PD-L1 PET/CT imaging with radiolabeled durvalumab in patients with advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer. J. Nucl. Med. 63 , 686–693 (2022).

CAS   PubMed   Google Scholar  

Contreras-Sandoval, A. M. et al. Correlation between anti-PD-L1 tumor concentrations and tumor-specific and nonspecific biomarkers in a melanoma mouse model. Oncotarget 7 , 76891–76901 (2016).

Article   PubMed   Google Scholar  

Enninga, E. A. L. et al. Immune checkpoint molecules soluble program death ligand 1 and galectin-9 are increased in pregnancy. Am. J. Reprod. Immunol. 79 , e12795 (2018).

Bansal, A. et al. Non-invasive immunoPET imaging of PD-L1 using anti-PD-L1-B11 in breast cancer and melanoma tumor model. Nucl. Med. Biol. 100–101 , 4–11 (2021).

Xenaki, K. T., Oliveira, S. & van Bergen En Henegouwen, P. M. P. Antibody or antibody fragments: Implications for molecular imaging and targeted therapy of solid tumors. Front. Immunol. 8 , 1287 (2017).

Chatterjee, S., Lesniak, W. G. & Nimmagadda, S. Noninvasive imaging of immune checkpoint ligand PD-L1 in tumors and metastases for guiding immunotherapy. Mol. Imaging 16 , 1536012117718459 (2017).

Janeway, C. A. J. et al. The interaction of the antibody molecule with specific antigen. In Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and Disease 5th edn (Garland Science, 2001).

Google Scholar  

Horáček, J., Garrett, S. D., Skládal, P. & Morgan, M. R. A. Characterization of the interactions between immobilized parathion and the corresponding recombinant scfv antibody using a piezoelectric biosensor. Food Agric. Immunol. 10 , 363–374 (1998).

Vauquelin, G. & Charlton, S. J. Exploring avidity: Understanding the potential gains in functional affinity and target residence time of bivalent and heterobivalent ligands. Br. J. Pharmacol. 168 , 1771–1785 (2013).

Adams, G. P. et al. Increased affinity leads to improved selective tumor delivery of single-chain Fv antibodies. Cancer Res. 58 , 485–490 (1998).

Rashidian, M. & Ploegh, H. Nanobodies as non-invasive imaging tools. Immunooncol. Technol. 7 , 2–14 (2020).

Chen, C. et al. PD-L1 tumor-intrinsic signaling and its therapeutic implication in triple-negative breast cancer. JCI Insight 6 , e131458 (2021).

Tu, X. et al. PD-L1 (B7–H1) competes with the RNA exosome to regulate the DNA damage response and can be targeted to sensitize to radiation or chemotherapy. Mol. Cell 74 , 1215-1226.e4 (2019).

Bradford, M. M. A rapid and sensitive for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Anal. Biochem. 72 , 248–254 (1976).

Schägger, H. & von Jagow, G. Tricine-sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for the separation of proteins in the range from 1 to 100 kDa. Anal. Biochem. 166 , 368–379 (1987).

Taubel, J. C. et al. Design, synthesis, and preliminary evaluation of [ 68 Ga]Ga-NOTA-insulin as a PET probe in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model. Bioconjug. Chem. 33 , 892–906 (2022).

Schneider, C. A., Rasband, W. S. & Eliceiri, K. W. NIH Image to ImageJ: 25 years of image analysis. Nat. Methods 9 , 671–675 (2012).

Download references

Acknowledgements

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health of the USA (Award Numbers grant UL1TR002494 and UL1TR002377). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Additional support was provided from the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics through the Translational Product Development Fund (TPDF) to MKP as a Principal Investigator. This study was also partially supported by the Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN USA to MKP as a Principal Investigator.

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

Aditya Bansal, Manasa Kethamreddy & Mukesh K. Pandey

Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

Roxane R. Lavoie, Fabrice Lucien & Haidong Dong

Office of Translation to Practice, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

Bharath Wootla

Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

Fabrice Lucien & Haidong Dong

Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

Sean S. Park

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Contributions

A.B.: Performed radiolabeling, animal model generation, imaging studies, data analysis and contributed to manuscript writing. R.R.L.: Performed culture of cancer cells, animal model generation and flow cytometry, data analysis and contributed to manuscript writing. F.L.: Guided the study and edited the manuscript. M.K.: Performed imaging studies, data analysis and contributed to manuscript writing. B.W.: Guided the study and edited manuscript writing. H.D.: Guided the study and edited the manuscript. S.S.P.: Guided the study and edited the manuscript. M.K.P.: Designed the study, garnered the funds, guided the study, and edited the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mukesh K. Pandey .

Ethics declarations

Competing interests.

H.D. is the inventor of anti-PD-L1-B11 antibody and related intellectual property disclosed to Mayo Clinic.

Additional information

Publisher's note.

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Supplementary information., rights and permissions.

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, which permits any non-commercial use, sharing, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if you modified the licensed material. You do not have permission under this licence to share adapted material derived from this article or parts of it. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ .

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article.

Bansal, A., Lavoie, R.R., Lucien, F. et al. Synthesis and evaluation of anti-PD-L1-B11 antibody fragments for PET imaging of PD-L1 in breast cancer and melanoma tumor models. Sci Rep 14 , 19561 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-70385-8

Download citation

Received : 09 December 2023

Accepted : 16 August 2024

Published : 22 August 2024

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-70385-8

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines . If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Quick links

• Explore articles by subject
• Guide to authors
• Editorial policies

Sign up for the Nature Briefing: Cancer newsletter — what matters in cancer research, free to your inbox weekly.

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, automatically generate references for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Dissertation
• Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples

Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples

Published on 4 May 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on 4 November 2022.

The acknowledgements section is your opportunity to thank those who have helped and supported you personally and professionally during your thesis or dissertation process.

Thesis or dissertation acknowledgements appear between your title page and abstract  and should be no longer than one page.

In your acknowledgements, it’s okay to use a more informal style than is usually permitted in academic writing , as well as first-person pronouns . Acknowledgements are not considered part of the academic work itself, but rather your chance to write something more personal.

To get started, download our step-by-step template in the format of your choice below. We’ve also included sample sentence starters to help you construct your acknowledgments section from scratch.

Download Word doc Download Google doc

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Be assured that you'll submit flawless writing. Upload your document to correct all your mistakes.

Table of contents

Who to thank in your acknowledgements, how to write acknowledgements, acknowledgements section example, acknowledgements dos and don’ts, frequently asked questions.

Generally, there are two main categories of acknowledgements: professional and personal .

A good first step is to check your university’s guidelines, as they may have rules or preferences about the order, phrasing, or layout of acknowledgements. Some institutions prefer that you keep your acknowledgements strictly professional.

Regardless, it’s usually a good idea to place professional acknowledgements first, followed by any personal ones. You can then proceed by ranking who you’d like to thank from most formal to least.

• Chairs, supervisors, or defence committees
• Funding bodies
• Other academics (e.g., colleagues or cohort members)
• Editors or proofreaders
• Librarians, research/laboratory assistants, or study participants
• Family, friends, or pets

Typically, it’s only necessary to mention people who directly supported you during your thesis or dissertation. However, if you feel that someone like a secondary school physics teacher was a great inspiration on the path to your current research, feel free to include them as well.

Professional acknowledgements

It is crucial to avoid overlooking anyone who helped you professionally as you completed your thesis or dissertation. As a rule of thumb, anyone who directly contributed to your research should be mentioned.

A few things to keep in mind include:

• Even if you feel your chair didn’t help you very much, you should still thank them first to avoid looking like you’re snubbing them.
• Be sure to follow academic conventions, using full names with titles where appropriate.
• If several members of a group or organisation assisted you, mention the collective name only.
• Remember the ethical considerations around anonymised data. If you wish to protect someone’s privacy, use only their first name or a generic identifier (such as ‘the interviewees’).

Personal acknowledgements

There is no need to mention every member of your family or friend group. However, if someone was particularly inspiring or supportive, you may wish to mention them specifically. Many people choose to thank parents, partners, children, friends, and even pets, but you can mention anyone who offered moral support or encouragement, or helped you in a tangible or intangible way.

Some students may wish to dedicate their dissertation to a deceased influential person in their personal life. In this case, it’s okay to mention them first, before any professional acknowledgements.

The only proofreading tool specialized in correcting academic writing

The academic proofreading tool has been trained on 1000s of academic texts and by native English editors. Making it the most accurate and reliable proofreading tool for students.

Correct my document today

After you’ve compiled a list of who you’d like to thank, you can then sort your list into rank order. Separate everyone you listed into ‘major thanks’, ‘big thanks’, and ‘minor thanks’ categories.

• ‘Major thanks’ are given to people who your project would be impossible without. These are often predominantly professional acknowledgements, such as your advisor , chair, and committee, as well as any funders.
• ‘Big thanks’ are an in-between, for those who helped you along the way or helped you grow intellectually, such as classmates, peers, or librarians.
• ‘Minor thanks’ can be a catch-all for everyone else, especially those who offered moral support or encouragement. This can include personal acknowledgements, such as parents, partners, children, friends, or even pets.

How to phrase your acknowledgements

To avoid acknowledgements that sound repetitive or dull, consider changing up your phrasing. Here are some examples of common sentence starters you can use for each category.

Note that you do not need to write any sort of conclusion or summary at the end. You can simply end the acknowledgements with your last thank-you.

Here’s an example of how you can combine the different sentences to write your acknowledgements.

A simple construction consists of a sentence starter (in purple highlight ), followed by the person or entity mentioned (in green highlight ), followed by what you’re thanking them for (in yellow highlight .)

Acknowledgements

Words cannot express my gratitude to my professor and chair of my committee for her invaluable patience and feedback. I also could not have undertaken this journey without my defense committee, who generously provided knowledge and expertise. Additionally, this endeavor would not have been possible without the generous support from the MacArthur Foundation, who financed my research .

I am also grateful to my classmates and cohort members, especially my office mates, for their editing help, late-night feedback sessions, and moral support. Thanks should also go to the librarians, research assistants, and study participants from the university, who impacted and inspired me.

Lastly, I would be remiss in not mentioning my family, especially my parents, spouse, and children. Their belief in me has kept my spirits and motivation high during this process. I would also like to thank my cat for all the entertainment and emotional support.

• Write in first-person, professional language
• Thank your professional contacts first
• Include full names, titles, and roles of professional acknowledgements
• Include personal or intangible supporters, like friends, family, or even pets
• Mention funding bodies and what they funded
• Appropriately anonymise or group research participants or non-individual acknowledgments

Don’t:

• Use informal language or slang
• Go over one page in length
• Mention people who had only a peripheral or minor impact on your work

Prevent plagiarism, run a free check.

You may acknowledge God in your thesis or dissertation acknowledgements , but be sure to follow academic convention by also thanking the relevant members of academia, as well as family, colleagues, and friends who helped you.

Yes, it’s important to thank your supervisor(s) in the acknowledgements section of your thesis or dissertation .

Even if you feel your supervisor did not contribute greatly to the final product, you still should acknowledge them, if only for a very brief thank you. If you do not include your supervisor, it may be seen as a snub.

In the acknowledgements of your thesis or dissertation, you should first thank those who helped you academically or professionally, such as your supervisor, funders, and other academics.

Then you can include personal thanks to friends, family members, or anyone else who supported you during the process.

The acknowledgements are generally included at the very beginning of your thesis or dissertation, directly after the title page and before the abstract .

In a thesis or dissertation, the acknowledgements should usually be no longer than one page. There is no minimum length.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

George, T. (2022, November 04). Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved 21 August 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/thesis-dissertation/acknowledgements/

Is this article helpful?

Tegan George

Other students also liked, dissertation title page, how to write an abstract | steps & examples, dissertation table of contents in word | instructions & examples.

• Create an account
• 888.552.5228
• Neighborhoods
• Create Account

3445 10th Ave N , Saint Petersburg , FL 33713

• Street view
• Virtual tour

Get more info about this property:

Property details, property features.

Interior Features

Parking Features

Community Features

Green Features

Exterior Features

Fees & Taxes

Lot Features

• Market trends
• Recent sales
• Points of interests Amenities

Ask a question about 3445 10th Ave N, or schedule a tour.

We will be pleased to answer any question about this property, without obligation, and can arrange for a private showing.

At MSC Mortgage, we partner with Michael Saunders & Company® to provide a full range of real estate services along with home financing options. Let us find the best possible loan for your next home purchase or refinance. Our goal is to provide our valued customers with great rates, fast closings and outstanding customer service.

Related Real Estate Links

3445 10th ave n | mls# u8254679.

MLS listing data on MichaelSaunders.com is updated every fifteen minutes. Some properties appearing for sale on this web site may have sold and are therefore no longer available. The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the IDX program of My Florida Regional MLS DBA Stellar MLS. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Michael Saunders & Company® are marked with the IDX logo. All information contained herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. The information is provided for consumer, non-commercial use only and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. All information displayed on this website should be independently verified if any person intends to engage in a transaction based upon such information.

Seller may consider buyer concessions if made in an offer. Just minutes from St. Pete's vibrant Grand Central District, this modern home combines urban convenience with sleek design. The open-concept layout is bathed in natural light, ... more. making it perfect for everyday living and entertaining alike. The master suite is a true retreat, featuring a spa-inspired ensuite bathroom, while spacious bedrooms come equipped with newly installed closet systems. The heart of the home is a chef’s kitchen with ample counter space, chic shaker cabinets, and stainless steel appliances. Step outside to discover a fully fenced backyard, offering endless opportunities for gardening or creating your ideal outdoor oasis. With a two-car garage, secure parking is always available. Don’t miss the opportunity to make this stunning home yours! Schedule a private tour today.

Similar homes for sale

3466 10th Ave N, Saint Petersburg FL

3500 9th Ave N, Saint Petersburg FL

3471 14th Ave N, St Petersburg FL

3443 6th Ave N, Saint Petersburg FL

Get alerts when listings matching your search become available. Get alerts

Save this search to your MichaelSaunders.com account

Delete saved search.

Would you like to delete this search from your MichaelSaunders.com account?

Affiliated Business Arrangement Disclosure

This is to give you notice that Michael Saunders & Company ("Michael Saunders") has a business relationship with MSC Mortgage, LLC ("MSC Mortgage, LLC"). Specifically, MSC Mortgage is 50% owned by Michael Saunders. The remaining 50% is owned loanDepot.com, LLC ("loanDepot"), to whom a large percentage of MSC Mortgage loans will likely be brokered. MSC Mortgage may also subsequently refer you to MSC Title, Inc. ("MSC Title"), a title agency wholly owned by Michael Saunders. Because of these relationships, this referral to MSC Mortgage may provide Michael Saunders, its parent company, and/or its affiliates, with a financial or other benefit.

Set forth below is the estimated charge or range of charges for the settlement services listed. You are NOT required to use MSC Mortgage or MSC Title as a condition for settlement of your loan on, or purchase, sale, or refinance of, the subject property. THERE ARE FREQUENTLY OTHER SETTLEMENT SERVICE PROVIDERS AVAILABLE WITH SIMILAR SERVICES. YOU ARE FREE TO SHOP AROUND TO DETERMINE THAT YOU ARE RECEIVING THE BEST SERVICES AND THE BEST RATE FOR THESE SERVICES.

Settlement Provider, Settlement Service, and Charge or Range of Charges:

MSC Mortgage. MSC Mortgage brokers mortgage loans. MSC Mortgage will not make any charges to the purchaser/borrower for its services but will receive compensation from the lenders to whom it brokers (including loanDepot) of up to [2.85%] of the loan.

loanDepot originates mortgage loans but does not directly charge the purchaser/borrower any required fees. You may be charged certain third-party fees for lender-selected services, including for an appraisal and credit reports. You may also be charged for additional closing costs by the escrow/title company and/or closing attorney. You may also be charged optional fees from loanDepot (or other lender) such as fees to reduce the interest rate. MSC Mortgage and/or the applicable mortgage broker or lender will provide you with a Loan Estimate detailing credit costs and loan terms, including closing costs. Please refer to your Loan Estimate for an itemization of fees applicable to your loan.

MSC Title. MSC Title provides title and closing services. Depending on the specific services performed, charges may range from $400.00 to $600.00, with title insurance premiums varying based on the amount of coverage provided.

Acknowledgement: By clicking "Accept" below, I acknowledge that I have read this disclosure form, and understand that Michael Saunders is referring me to purchase the above-described settlement service(s) and may receive a financial or other benefit as the result of this referral.

Save this property to your MichaelSaunders.com account

Delete saved property.

Would you like to delete this property from your MichaelSaunders.com account?

Login to your MichaelSaunders.com account

Don't have an account? Create one here.

Get more: create an account!

Create a free MichaelSaunders.com account for exclusive perks: tools for saving and sharing, alerts on new listings and sales and more.

Get your password

Enter your email address and we'll send you your password.