Understanding the mitotic DNA damage checkpoint in order to develop new cancer treatments

Resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy is a huge problem in cancer mortality. As many anti-cancer therapies act by inflicting vast amounts of DNA damage in order to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, our own DNA repair systems can contribute to drug resistance by repairing the damage quickly enough to prevent cancer cell death. For this reason, DNA repair inhibitor are currently being used in the clinic in combination with standard anti-cancer drugs in order Our lab has identified a novel DNA damage pathway which acts in mitosis independently of the known DNA repair machinery and could lead to further resistance to anti-cancer agents. We have uncovered some of the proteins involved in this checkpoint. This project will further characterise the signalling cascades involved in DNA damage recognition and repair in mitosis and provide basis for the development of new anti-cancer drugs.

Entry Requirements:

Candidates must have a first or upper second class honors degree.

How to apply:

Please complete a University Postgraduate Research Application form available here: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/phd/apply/applying

Please clearly state the prospective main supervisor in the respective box and select Oncology and Metabolism as the department.