The interaction between genetics and environment in the development of rare tumours.

We are an active research group investigating ocular tumours, and sarcomas, with an interest in Thyroid cancer. Both ocular tumours and sarcomas are rare compared to the more common cancers such as breast and colon, and represent an under researched area. Genetically they have distinct changes, for example uveal melanomas tend to have simple karyotypic alterations, whilst many sarcomas have complex genetic backgrounds with a high level of genetic instability. In past studies we have related how these changes affect patient outcome. This project will look at how specifically the individual genetic changes of these rare tumours combine together with potential environmental influences to alter tumour behaviour. We also have an interest in how cancer stem cells may be involved and whether this affects the development of resistance to treatment and the development of metastases. The project will combine a number of methodologies including molecular cytogenetics and molecular biology, as well as experimental cell culture, and techniques such as Immunocytochemistry and western blotting. Available for students with full funding only.