Live cell imaging of epithelial cancer cell proliferation for therapy

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2024/25.

This opportunity is open to candidates who have the means to self-fund their studies or who have a PhD sponsor who will cover this cost. We especially welcome applications that connect to the School's core research areas, which include Cancer, Cell Biology and Structural Biology. 

Cancer is a multifactorial disease state which is linked to uncontrolled cell proliferation. Epithelial cell-derived cancers are classified into the most frequent diseases such as lung, breast, gut and prostate cancers. One hypothesis is that different tumours respond differently to circulating growth factors which regulate multiple signalling pathways which impact on cell proliferation.

The use of anti-cancer drugs to target cell proliferation needs better approaches to assess cancer sensitivity for therapy. In the past 20 yrs, a range of fluorescent reporters have been devised to study cell and animal function in health and disease. For example, the fluorescent ubiquitinated cell cycle reporter indicator (FUCCI) has been used to study different phases of the cell cycle in living cells, tissues and animals (Sakaue-Sawano et al., 2008). Such systems provide a route for introducing such reporters into cancers to assess cell growth and sensitivity to therapeutics. The FUCCI system can be introduced into epithelial cancer cells to rapidly monitor cell proliferation using live cell imaging (Divan et al., 2023).

This PhD project will use the FUCCI reporter and express these in epithelial cell lines and compare cell proliferation in response to a panel of growth factors. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors will be evaluated for their ability to block lung, breast, gut and prostate cancer cell proliferation in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF). Such work will provide the basis for more effective anti-cancer strategies aimed at epithelial cancers. The PhD student will be trained in biochemistry, cell biology and cancer biology.

Eligibility

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence that their English language is sufficient to meet the specific demands of their study. The Faculty of Biological Sciences minimum requirements in IELTS and TOEFL tests are:

• British Council IELTS - score of 6.0 overall, with no element less than 5.5
• TOEFL iBT - overall score of 87 with the listening and reading element no less than 20, writing element no less than 21 and the speaking element no less than 22. 

How to apply

To apply for this project applicants should complete an online application form and attach the following documentation to support their application. 

• a full academic CV
• degree certificate and transcripts of marks
• Evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (if applicable)
• Evidence of funding

To help us identify that you are applying for this project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form;

• Select PhD in Biological Sciences as your programme of study
• Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert

For information about the application process please contact the Faculty Admissions Team:

e: [Email Address Removed]