PhD in Cancer & Genetics: Transcription factor dysregulation in acute myeloid leukaemia and blood cancers

PhD studentship opportunities in the Department of Haematology, Cardiff Applications are sought from outstanding and enthusiastic UK/EU science graduates ideally with relevant laboratory experience. The project will be undertaken in the Department of Haematology, one of the largest centres for the study of blood diseases in the UK. The student will be required to integrate knowledge of tumour biology, cell signalling and haematopoietic development. Techniques will include subcloning, retroviral gene transduction, flow cytometry, western blotting, gene expression. Mass Spectrometry and cell biology.

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML; a form of blood cancer) is a difficult to treat disease with poor long-term survival of patients. The RUNX1-ETO fusion gene is one of the most frequent abnormalities associated with this disease (12% of all AML); however its role in the pathogenesis of AML remains poorly understood and the only prospect for improved outcomes is the development of targeting treatments. Previously we devised an experimental model based on normal human primary haematopoietic cells which enabled us to analyse the effects of RUNX1-ETO on blood cell development. These studies published in leading haematological malignancy journals (Blood and Leukemia) showed that this fusion gene was able to inhibit the development of haematopoeitic cells and also promote the growth of immature blood cells – the hallmarks of AML. We now propose to extend our earlier RUNX1-ETO studies by analysing relative abundance of transcription factor proteins in the nuclei of RUNX1-ETO expressing cells using proteomic analysis. We will determine if there are consistent patterns of dysregulation in RUNX1-ETO cells compared with normal haematopoietic blasts.

This work forms part of an on-going programme of study with several high impact factor papers already published. The successful student will be in a good position to quickly generate high impact factor publications during the course of this PhD and become competitive for post-doctoral positions. The project covers a range of established and cutting edge techniques giving the student a thorough grounding in the developmental biology of stem cells (cell and protein analysis) as well as providing experience in the relatively new technique of gene editing (e.g. CRISPR). The supervisory team currently has a 100% success rate within 4 years. Our students are encouraged to promote their scientific development; formulating their own ideas, hypotheses and experimental plans, this is evidenced by the fact that all our past students, have been employed as post-doctoral scientists or have become principal investigators in their own right.

The work will be supervised by a trained and experienced supervisory team with a track record of successful outcome in an excellent research environment for the study of blood cancer; joining an immediate group of 10 researchers and supported by approximately 30 scientists department wide. This research may allow current therapy to be more effective and therefore reduce the overall healthcare burden of this disease.

Applications are sought from outstanding and enthusiastic individuals with an interest in cancer biology. Laboratory experience will be an advantage especially in tissue culture, molecular biology or protein analysis. For informal enquiries please contact [Email Address Removed].