About the Project
Cervical carcinoma is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. While the ‘necessary cause’ is infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HRHPV), other important co-factors influence malignant progression. Such factors include steroid hormones but it is poorly understood how these contribute to cervical carcinogenesis. This project will use a unique in vitro model system to examine the effects of major steroids on gene expression by HPV16, the most important HPHPV type. Particular focus will be on how the site of HPV16 integration into the host genome determines virus responses to steroid treatment/blockade and how epigenetic modifications to the integrated virus chromatin contribute to the effects observed.
Funding Notes
Research Council UK studentships are available to UK nationals and EU students who meet the UK residency requirements. Further information about eligibility for Research Council US funding can be found at the following website:
http://www.mrc.ac.uk/skills-careers/studentships/studentship-guidance/student-eligibility-requirements/
Applications from ineligible candidates will not be considered.
References
Scarpini CG, Groves IJ, Pett MR, Ward D, Coleman N (2014) Virus transcript levels and cell growth rates after naturally-occurring HPV16
integration events in basal cervical keratinocytes. Journal of Pathology 233:281-93
Caffarel MM and Coleman N (2014) Oncostatin M receptor is a novel therapeutic target in cervical squamous
cell carcinoma Journal of Pathology 232:386-90
Murray MJ, Saini HK, Siegler CA, Hanning JE, Barker EM, van Dongen S, Ward DM, Raby KL, Groves IJ, Scarpini CG, Pett MR, Thornton CM, Enright AJ, Nicholson JC, Coleman N (2013) LIN28 expression in malignant germ cell tumors downregulates let-7 and
increases oncogene levels. Cancer Research 73:4872-84
Hanning JE, Saini HK, Murray MJ, Caffarel MM, van Dongen S, Ward DM, Barker EM, Scarpini CG, Groves IJ, Stanley MA, Enright AJ, Pett
MR, Coleman N (2013) Depletion of HPV16 early genes induces autophagy and senescence in a
cervical carcinogenesis model, regardless of viral physical state. Journal of Pathology 231:354-66
Caffarel MM, Chattopadhyay A, Araujo AM, Bauer J, Scarpini CG, Coleman N (2013) Tissue transglutaminase mediates the pro-malignant effects of oncostatin M receptor over-expression in cervical squamous cell carcinoma Journal of Pathology 231:168-79
More information on the supervisor’s research can be found on their research group website here http://www.path.cam.ac.uk/research/investigators/coleman/