ER-phagy mechanism and function in cancer at University of Edinburgh on FindAPhD.com

This project is no longer listed on FindAPhD.com and may not be available.

Click here to search FindAPhD.com for PhD studentship opportunities

Dr S Wilkinson No more applications being accepted Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

About the Project

This PhD studentship funded by CRUK and is available to start in September 2020 at the Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, which is part of the Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine (IGMM) at the University of Edinburgh. Applicants should hold at least an upper second-class degree in a relevant subject and comply with the University of Edinburgh’s English language requirements. Applicants should submit a covering letter and CV for consideration, along with details of 2 academic referees.

The overall goal of this studentship is to investigate ER-phagy mechanism and function in cancer.

Pancreatic cancer has a dismal 5-year survival rate of 5%. Reduced autophagy function promotes pancreatic cancer initiation whereas autophagy provides a potential therapeutic target in established disease. The mechanism(s) underpinning these roles for autophagy are currently poorly identified, precluding identification of viable molecular targets. Mechanistically, autophagy acts to degrade damaged organelles: endoplasmic reticulum (ER); mitochondria; lysosomes. Our latest data show that ER-phagy, in particular, has a principal role in pancreatic cancer. ER-phagy is only recently discovered and is incompletely characterised at the molecular level.

Aim 1 will be to employ proximity proteomic techniques to identify key molecules of the ER-phagy pathway in pancreatic cancer cells and to characterise these mechanistically, particularly in 3D organoid cultures. Aim 2 will test the function of two already identified molecule(s) in pancreatic cancer models in vivo. Overall, an understanding of ER-phagy and its therapeutic potential in pancreatic cancer will be acquired; a particular focus will be on understanding how ER-phagy affects ER protein homeostasis and, consequently, secreted signals regulating pancreatic cancer.

Interested applicants can contact Simon Wilkinson; any questions about the project can be answered.

To proceed with an application, please send CV and cover letter to Simon Wilkinson - [Email Address Removed]

Wilkinson group website: https://www.ed.ac.uk/cancer-centre/research/wilkinson-group

References

Wilkinson, S. Emerging principles of selective ER autophagy. JMB. (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2019.05.012
Smith, M et al. CCPG1 Is a Non-canonical Autophagy Cargo Receptor Essential for ER-Phagy and Pancreatic ER Proteostasis. Developmental Cell. (2018). 44:217 doi:/10.1016/j.devcel.2017.11.024

Dikic, I and Elazar, Z. Mechanism and medical implications of mammalian autophagy. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol (2018) 19(6):349-364
Gopinathan A et al. GEMMs as preclinical models for testing pancreatic cancer therapies. Dis Model Mech. 2015;8(10):1185–1200. doi:10.1242/dmm.021055

Where will I study?

University of Edinburgh

One of the world''s top universities, consistently ranked in the world top 50 and placed 20th in the QS World University Rankings 2020. We provide a stimulating working, learning and teaching environment with access to excellent facilities and attract the world''s best, from Nobel Prize winning laureates to future explorers, pioneers and inventors.

ER-phagy mechanism and function in cancer

University of Edinburgh College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

This project is no longer listed on FindAPhD.com and may not be available.

About the Project

References

Where will I study?

University of Edinburgh

Select your nearest city

Do you want hassle-free information and advice?