Understanding the role of cancer-associated SF3B1 mutation in microRNA biogenesis.

In this PhD project, the student will investigate how cancer-associated mutation in the splicing factor SF3B1 affects microRNA biogenesis. SF3B1 mutations are strongly implicated in various cancers but their biological consequences are unclear, although it is becoming increasingly apparent that SF3B1 has functions beyond splicing. We have recently found that SF3B1 inhibition has broad impact on the production of microRNAs, regulatory RNA molecules that are important in cancer. This project will follow on from this work to establish how SF3B1 regulates microRNA biogenesis and whether cancer-associated mutations affect this. This will give novel insight into the role of SF3B1 in cancer with potential to lead to future therapeutic approaches.

This PhD project will be run jointly by the Jopling lab at the (UoN) and the Tellier lab at the (UoL). The student will be mainly based in Nottingham, where they will be part of the friendly and collaborative Gene Regulation and RNA Biology group based in newly refurbished labs in the multidisciplinary Biodiscovery Institute. Here, they will carry out molecular and cell biology research to investigate microRNA biogenesis in cells with and without SF3B1 mutation. The student will also work closely with the Tellier lab to carry out bioinformatic analysis of large datasets, and will therefore acquire skills in state-of the-art wet and dry lab approaches.

https://joplinglab.com/