Fertility preservation of male childhood cancer patients

Every day, around five children receive a diagnosis of cancer in the United Kingdom, with boys slightly more frequently than girls. Luckily, the percentage of children surviving cancer continually increases currently over 80%; however, childhood cancer survivors are at risk of loss of fertility in adulthood, due to the treatments received. In 2016, a major follow-up study revealed that young boys who have undergone chemotherapy treatment, in particular those involving the use of alkylating agents, are less likely to become fathers than their siblings that had not developed a childhood cancer (Chow et al., 2016). This study aims at assessing what proteomics and transcriptomics changes occur in the immature testis after exposure to chemotherapy, to understand the mechanism of damage and develop a protective strategy. An in vitro culture system of prepubertal testis has been developed in the laboratory, using testicular biopsies collected from childhood cancer patients before the onset of chemotherapy. The project will involve the use of histological and culture techniques, mass spectrometry and the development of a novel transcriptomic analysis. The work will be done in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, with part of the experiments performed in Prof Mitchell’s laboratory.

For informal enquiries about the project, contact Dr Federica Lopes, [Email Address Removed]

For general enquiries about the University of Dundee, contact [Email Address Removed]

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must have obtained, or expect to obtain, a UK honours degree at 2.1 or above (or equivalent for non-UK qualifications), and/or a Masters degree in a relevant discipline. For international qualifications, please see equivalent entry requirements here: www.dundee.ac.uk/study/international/country/.

English language requirement: IELTS (Academic) overall score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 5.5 in reading, listening, speaking and 6.0 in writing). The University of Dundee accepts a variety of equivalent qualifications and alternative ways to demonstrate language proficiency; please see full details of the University’s English language requirements here: www.dundee.ac.uk/guides/english-language-requirements.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Step 1: Email Dr Federica Lopes, [Email Address Removed] to (1) send a copy of your CV and (2) discuss your potential application and any practicalities (e.g. suitable start date).

Step 2: After discussion with Dr Federica Lopes, formal applications can be made via our direct application system. When applying, please follow the instructions below:

Candidates must apply for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Medicine (3 year) using our direct application system:

Please select the study mode (full-time/part-time) and start date agreed with the lead supervisor.

In the Research Proposal section, please:

-         Enter the lead supervisor’s name in the ‘proposed supervisor’ box

-         Enter the project title listed at the top of this page in the ‘proposed project title’ box

In the ‘personal statement’ section, please outline your suitability for the project selected.