Talented and motivated students passionate about doing research are invited to apply for this PhD position. The successful applicant will join the Crick PhD Programme in September 2022 and will register for their PhD at one of the Crick partner universities (Imperial College London, King’s College London or UCL).
This 4-year PhD studentship is offered in Dr Erik Sahai’s Group based at the Francis Crick Institute (the Crick).
The behaviour of cancers is determined by the interactions of cancer cells with other cells in their local environment, including T-cells and stromal fibroblasts [1, 2]. This project will focus on how these cells interact with each other and the extracellular matrix at tumour-stroma boundaries [2, 3]. In particular, the project will focus on whether or not fibroblasts prevent the access of immune cells to the tumour. If potentially tumour-reactive T-cells are not able to access the tumour cells, then they will not be able to eliminate tumour cells. Therefore, understanding the events occurring at tumour-stroma boundaries and their underlying mechanisms will be crucial for ongoing efforts to improve therapies that harness the immune system to attack tumours.
The project will use a range of assays to study tumour-stroma boundaries. We have established ‘artificial boundaries’ in engineered systems that can easily be controlled and imaged. The behaviour of cells in these systems will be compared with tumour tissue slices, intravital imaging of pre-clinical models, and patient samples. Particular attention will be paid to how T-cells respond to potentially conflicting guidance cues coming the matrix produced by fibroblasts and soluble chemokines. To gain mechanistic insights, a range of Crispr editing and pharmacological interventions will be employed in combination with careful control of the engineered environment. The ultimate goal is to identify strategies that modify tumour-stroma boundaries such that T-cells can access the tumour, but cancer cells are not able to invade into the surrounding tissue.
Candidate background
This project is well suited to candidates with a strong background in cell and tissue biology and a desire to learn imaging and microfluidic methods. An enthusiasm for inter-disciplinary research combined with some quantitative or coding skills would be an asset. Good communication, a ‘team science’ ethos and excellent record keeping are desirable.
Applicants should hold or expect to gain a first/upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject and have appropriate research experience as part of, or outside of, a university degree course and/or a Masters degree in a relevant subject.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE MADE ONLINE VIA OUR WEBSITE (ACCESSIBLE VIA THE ‘INSTITUTION WEBSITE’ LINK ABOVE) BY 12:00 (NOON) 11 November 2021. APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN ANY OTHER FORMAT.
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