Studying composition of autophagosomes in human tumours

A PhD position in a world-leading cancer research institute – The Institute of Cancer Research (The ICR) London

The ICR is delighted to offer a jointly (European Commission/ICR) sponsored PhD position on studying the role of selective autophagy in cancer. This position is part of the EU-wide DRIVE (Driving Next Generation Autophagy Researchers Towards Translation) consortium, which encompasses 15 PhD positions in translational research on autophagy. For more details, go to https://drive-autophagy.eu.

The goal of this project is to characterize the protective role of selective autophagy in human cancers, with the potential to develop novel therapeutic strategies in oncology. Defects in selective autophagy have been linked to tumorigenesis. The underlying mechanism has been proposed to be accumulation of aberrant proteins and organelles that drive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and result in persistent DNA damage. On the other hand, it is expected that cancer cells are dependent on selective autophagy for their survival due to progressive accumulation of genetic aberrations that drive production of misfolded proteins, protein aggregates and damaged organelles. Inability to clear cell junk should eventually result in cell demise, especially if a damage-inducing second drug already affects the cell. For therapies targeting autophagy, it is thus essential to assess the status of selective autophagy in cultured cancer cells and tumour samples from patients. The successful candidate will establish methods for purification of autophagosomes from cells and tissues and use these preparations to measure the levels of selective autophagy receptors (such as p62/SQSTM1, NBR1, etc.), ubiquitin and mitochondria before and after experimental manipulation of the selective autophagy, using small molecule or genetic tools. A proteomic approach will be employed to assess what additional cargo proteins are upregulated under the conditions when selective autophagy is inhibited. It is expected that multiple cancer-related, mutant proteins will be detected. Eventually, the effect of selective autophagy inhibition on cancer cell proliferation, migration and other hallmarks will be tested. Once the therapeutic concept has been demonstrated in cell culture, the candidate will perform in vivo experiments in xenograft models.

The candidate should have completed his/her BSc/MSc studies, possess a high degree of self-motivation and be willing to relocate for their primary assignment to the UK. For additional details and the formal application process, please visit: https://drive-autophagy.eu/recruitment/. All applications must be made via the DRIVE home page.

More information about the host laboratory can be found at https://www.icr.ac.uk/our-research/researchers-and-teams/dr-vladimir-kirkin. Further information on studying at the Institute of Cancer Research can be found on https://www.icr.ac.uk/studying-at-the-icr . The deadline for applications to this position is Jan 9th, 2018.
Candidate profile
candidate should have completed his/her BSc/MSc studies in Biological Sciences or related subjects.
How to apply
For details on the application process, please visit: https://drive-autophagy.eu/recruitment/. All applications must be made via the DRIVE home page.