Prof C Heechen, Prof D Pennington
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Barts Cancer Institute
A Cancer Research UK Centre of Excellence
Centre for Stem Cells in Cancer and Ageing
Pancreatic Cancer UK – 3 year studentships
We are seeking applications for our 3-year Pancreatic Cancer UK funded PhD studentship, to commence in September 2015. Applicants must have (or be expecting), at least an upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject.
Primary Supervisor: Prof Christopher Heeschen
Second Supervisor: Prof Daniel Pennington
Project summary:
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly metastatic cancer with a devastating 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. Tumour relapse has been attributed to a subpopulation of cells within the tumour known as pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSCs). We observed that PDAC CSC were not efficiently attacked by cytotoxic T cells. To find out how PDAC CSCs escape immunosurveillance, we investigated the CSC-specific gene expression profile. Surprisingly, PDAC CSC expressed higher levels of innate immunity recognition molecules. Intriguingly, inhibition of innate immunity recognition molecules on PDAC CSC by genetic knockdown restored T cell cytotoxicity und resulted in drastically decreased tumorigenicity in vivo without affecting their self-renewal capacity.
The primary objectives of the PhD project are to dissect the molecular mechanisms of the immune escape of CSCs, which subsequently may allow us to restore immune response. These will be addressed by the following specific aims:
Aim 1. Defining the molecular mechanisms how innate immunity recognition molecules on PDAC CSC block T cell cytotoxicity. Specifically, we intend to reveal the ligand/receptor interactions using inducible genetic knockdown/knockout for innate immunity recognition molecules.
Aim 2. Identification whether regulatory immune cells such as gamma delta T cells are involved in the immunoprotection of PDAC CSC.
Aim 3. Targeting expression of innate immunity recognition molecules on PDAC CSC by epigenetic modulators to reactivate anti-CSC T cell cytotoxicity.
Eligibility:
Applicants should either be in the final year of their degree in biomedical sciences and expecting to obtain at least a 2:1, or already have graduated with at least a 2:1. Experience in stem cell biology and/or immunology would be advantageous but is not essential.
This studentship will only fund fees up to the Home/EU rate.
Other information:
Our research degrees are supplemented by a comprehensive support programme, providing training in a wide range of biomedical laboratory methods and other vital transferable skills.
Informal enquiries can be made to: Prof Christopher Heeschen, [Email Address Removed]
Please visit our website for more information and how to apply:
http://www.bci.qmul.ac.uk/study-with-us/phd-programme-a-studentships/pcuk-phd-studentship-2015
Funding Notes
This is a 3 year studentship funded by Pancreatic Cancer UK and comes with a tax free stipend of £21,000 per annum. Fees will be funded up to the Home/EU rate.
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