The FAS/AMPK axis as a determinant of Prostate Cancer Progression

Our studies at King’s College London suggest that lipid metabolism may play a role in prostate cancer development and progression. This collaborative project (Dana Farber Cancer Institute USA, Imperial College London and Manchester University) aims to study whether there is a specific link between fatty acid synthase (FAS) and prostate cancer aetiology from a basic and clinical research angle using both prostate cancer cells and human tissue samples.

The student will test whether elevated FAS expression or inhibition of FAS activity/decreases in FAS expression change the invasive potential of prostate cancer cells using both 2D and 3D fixed and live cells invasion models established in the Wells laboratory. The project also aims to use biochemical techniques to identify novel FAS associated cytoskeletal signalling pathways that may lead to increased invasive potential. In parallel the student will identify how the degree of deregulation of the FAS signalling pathway affects prostate cancer progression.

This will be achieved by linking immunohistochemical assessment of FAS over-expression at time of diagnosis with progression to metastasis using multivariate logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. This translational project is a combination of basic cell biology, biochemistry, immunohistrochemisty and epidemiological studies and would suit a student with some experience of one or more facets of the experimental techniques planned.

Location: The PhD student will be based in the Wells Laboratory, New Hunts House, Guys Hospital Campus, King’s College London.

Eligibility: This project is open to home/EU candidates only. The candidate should have biological sciences background.

Full details at https://www.kcl.ac.uk/health/study/studentships/div-studentships/cancer/wells.aspx