Studying protein homeostasis in healthy and malignant stem cell development

The Grey lab studies the role of protein homeostasis in healthy and malignant haematopoietic (blood) stem cell development. We focus on the proteome of healthy stem cells as they mature in vivo, expand in vitro and their therapeutic use for bone marrow transplantation. The Grey lab also studies the malignant transformation to acute myeloid leukaemia, focussed on the earliest stages of malignant transformation.

This project will involve the study of the proteome of primary haematopoietic stem cells from both human and mouse. The student will study the key cellular differences between healthy and malignant stem cells using proteomics and molecular biology techniques, followed by functional differences using a range of transplantation assays.

The project is highly interdisciplinary and is collaborative with colleagues in Chemistry (Spicer lab), where we are developing new ways to control protein homeostasis in stem cells. The student will learn chemical synthesis techniques and apply these to develop new molecular probes to aid in their study.

The York Biomedical Research Institute at the University of York is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, religion/belief, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.