Dr L Castellano, Prof G Giamas
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
The advent of genome-wide, high-throughput sequencing has transformed our understanding of the complexity of cancer transcriptomes. Brought to prominence have been the non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), operationally classified into two distinct major classes: those 200nt, as long ncRNAs (lncRNAs). It is becoming evident that ncRNAs can exert powerful effects on health and disease, including cancer and metastasis.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal, highly metastatic disease, which remains difficult to detect at an early stage due to a lack of symptoms. Current treatments have a limited response such that five-year survival rates are below 5%.
TGFß plays a big role in PDAC progression, but although mRNAs regulated by TGFß have been defined, there is still lack of knowledge about the TGFß-regulated ncRNAs in PDAC and their role in PDAC progression.
Our goal is to use next generation RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technologies to evaluate the ncRNAs regulated by TGFß in PDAC and to understand their mechanism of action. We will focus on the most important TGFß-regulated ncRNAs and test their action evaluating cellular localisation, interacting proteins and ncRNA-controlled chromosomal looping. We will also test their effect on cancer related phenotypes by using CRISPR/CAS9 technologies to stop their transcription and RNAi to reduce their stability.
How to apply:
Please submit a formal application using our online application system at http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply (course to apply for is PhD Biochemistry), including a CV, degree transcripts and certificates, statement of interest (clearly stating the title of the project and supervisor’s name) and names of two academic referees.
This School funded position covers fees and a stipend at standard RCUK rates, is open to Home / EU applicants.
For enquiries about the application process contact Anna Izykowska ([Email Address Removed])
For enquiries about the project contact Leandro Castellano ([Email Address Removed])
Funding Notes
Ideal candidates will have a strong background in molecular biology and biochemistry with additional experience of laboratory techniques, including cell culture, quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, cloning of nucleic acids. Experience in CRISPR-based technologies are desirable, but not essential.
Eligible candidates will have recently received an MSc and/or a First or high 2:1 BSc in a relevant subject. Candidates for whom English is not their first language will require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with not less than 6.0 in any section.
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