PhD Studentship in Genetic Medicine - Biogenesis of miR-424/503, its role in obesity and tumor development

Excited about microRNAs, obesity and cancer? In this PhD project we will deep into the exciting biology of the miR-424/503 cluster and its connection with breast tumorigenesis and fat homeostasis.

Obesity is associated with increased risk of certain types of cancers (e.g., postmenopausal breast and endometrial) and epidemiological studies suggest that 3 to 6% of new cancer cases per year and 3 to 9% of cancer deaths are attributable to high BMI. These exceptional estimations underscore the dramatic impact of high BMI in tumorigenesis and provide a realistic cancer preventive strategy by modulating BMI.

Although the mechanistic processes that could explain the intimate relation between obesity and cancer are multiple, preventative strategies are still based on dietary modifications or exercise regimens. By implementing a multidisciplinary approach based on molecular and cellular techniques combined with genome-wide functional assays, computational analysis, mouse models and patient tissue sample analysis, in this project we will investigate how miR-424/503 regulates fat tissue homeostasis and simultaneously impacts breast tumorigenesis.

The realization of this proposal is expected to provide the PhD candidate a strong training in a vast array of molecular, biochemical and cellular techniques and will benefit from international collaborations.

Eligibility Criteria: You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relating to biological/biomedical sciences including experience in cell biology and/or molecular biology and/or cell signalling. A further qualification such as an MRes is advantageous.

The award is available to UK/EU and international applicants. If English is not your first language, you must have IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

How to apply
All applicants should complete the University’s postgraduate application system www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply.
To do this please ‘Create a new account’.
Include the following information:
•programme code 8300F
•select ‘PhD in the Faculty of Medical Sciences – Genetic Medicine as ‘programme of study’
•insert the studentship code 02MREA
•attach a covering letter and CV, including studentship reference code 02MREA
•attach degree transcripts and certificates and a copy of your English language qualifications if appropriate