About the Project
Chemokines are important for the recruitment of leukocytes to the tumour microenvironment which can affect invasion and metastasis. Chemokine receptors are overexpressed in a variety of different cancers and they play a role in cancer cell homing and metastasis. However blocking the receptors directly has not been proven to be successful in clinical trials so far. This makes the receptors itself a less than ideal drug target and consequently targeting the signalling networks which are activated by these receptors might be a more successful route of preventing metastasis. In this project we will investigate which receptors are involved in breast cancer metastasis and will identify which signalling networks become activated. We will use cell biological based assays to assess cell migration, compared with pharmacological experiments to identify different signalling partner and assess their importance in migration.
The successful applicant will have, or expect to obtain a first class, 2(i) or equivalent Honours degree in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Pharmacy or a related area.
Informal enquiries are welcomed; for further information please contact Dr Anja Mueller ([Email Address Removed])
Interviews will take place between 16 January and 24 February 2017.
Funding Notes
This PhD project is in a Faculty of Science competition for funded studentships. These studentships are funded for 3 years and comprise home/EU fees, an annual stipend of £14,296 and £1000 per annum to support research training. Overseas applicants may apply but they are required to fund the difference between home/EU and overseas tuition fees (in 2016/17 the difference is £12,879 for the Schools of CHE & PHA, and £9,679 for CMP & MTH but fees are subject to an annual increase)
References
i) Mills SC, Goh PH, Kudatsih J, Ncube S, Gurung R, Maxwell W and Mueller A (2016) Cell migration towards CXCL12 in leukemic cells compared to breast cancer cells. Cell Signal. 2016 Jan 21;28(4):316-324. doi: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2016.01.006.
ii) Jacques RO, Mills SC, Cazzonatto Zerwes P, Fagade FO, Green JE, Downham S, Sexton DW and Mueller A (2015) Dynamin function is important for CC-chemokine receptor induced cell migration, Cell Biochemistry and Function, Cell Biochem Funct. 2015 Aug;33(6):407-14. doi: 10.1002/cbf.3131
iii) Kerr JS, Jacques RO, Moyano Cardaba C, Tse T, Sexton D, Mueller A (2013) Differential regulation of chemotaxis: Role of Gβγ in chemokine receptor-induced cell migration. Cell Signal. Volume 25, Issue 4, April 2013, Pages 729–735, doi:pii: S0898-6568(12)00352-X. 10.1016/j.cellsig.2012.12.015.
iv) Khabbazi S, Jacques RO, Moyano Cardaba C, Mueller A (2012) Jak2 and Stat3 activation is not essential for CCL3, CCL5 or CCL8 induced chemotaxis. Cell Biochemistry and Function, Volume 31, Issue 4, June 2013, Pages: 312–318.
v) Moyano Cardaba, C., Jacques, R.O., Barrett, J.E., Hassell, K.M., Kavanagh, A., Remington, F.C., Tse, T., Mueller, A. (2012) CCL3 induced migration occurs independently of intracellular calcium release, Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2012 418(1):17-21. Epub 2011 Dec 22, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.12.081
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