An exploratory study of breast cancer initiating events in BRCA1 mutation carriers

*FUNDING CONFIRMED*

Women carrying a germline BRCA mutation are at increased lifetime risk of developing a breast cancer, although the events responsible for initiating this process are not understood. It has been noted that in normal skin, somatic mutations can be identified in the absence of any detectable cancerous changes, but it is not clear whether an analogous situation exists within the breast. This project proposes to examine normal tissue from risk reducing mastectomies in these women to establish whether early changes in the mutational landscape of the breast tissue can be seen prior to the development of clinically or radiologically detectable breast cancers. This will be done using a combination of immunohistochemical, immunofluorescence and next generation sequencing techniques.

REQUIREMENTS

Candidates should have or expect to obtain a 2:1 or higher Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant biomedical or life sciences subject.

English Language

Candidates applying from countries where the first language is not English should produce evidence of their competence through a qualification such as IELTS or TOEFL score.

The minimum recommended score for the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science is:
• IELTS score of 6.0 with not less than 5.5 in each of the four component elements of listening, reading, speaking and writing taken within the last 2 years;
• TOEFL score of 80+ (internet basted test), taken within the last 2 years, with minimum component scores of; Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 17);
• A valid Certificate of Proficiency in English grade A or B;
• A valid Certificate of Advanced English grade A; or
• A first or upper second class honours degree from a university based in the UK, Republic of Ireland or other suitably quality assured location in a country deemed by the UK Border Agency to be majority English speaking.

For a list of English Language qualifications also accepted by the School and University please see the following link:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/home/StudyatQueens/InternationalStudents/EnglishLanguageRequirements/

The English Language Unit (ELU) offers both pre-sessional and in-sessional courses in English for academic purposes and study skills. Courses vary in length and full information can be obtained from the ELU http://www.qub.ac.uk/tefl/