Determining the effects of mutations on the epigenome in cancer

This is one of five projects being offered for 2 or 3 studentships at the Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre at the University of Edinburgh starting in September 2017. The studentships will cover tuition fees for UK/EU residents, research expenses and travel, plus a generous £19,000 per annum stipend.

Epigenetic dysfunction is a fundamental hallmark of cancer that is associated with the repression of tumour suppressor genes. For example, DNA methylation alterations are intrinsic to breast carcinogenesis and are associated with silencing of the tumour suppressor gene BRCA1. However, we do not understand how these potential epimutations occur. We have shown that epigenetic marks are strongly programmed by the genome, most likely through the action of transcription factors (Benveniste et al 2014 PNAS PMID: 25187560). A consequence of this finding is that mutations can cause local alterations in DNA methylation levels. This project seeks to use such mutations as tools to understand the interaction between DNA methylation and transcription factors. We will combine computational analyses of germ-line and somatic sequence variants with genome-editing technologies to determine which mutations affect DNA methylation, identify the proteins responsible and how these interactions affect transcription and cancer phenotypes. The project provides the opportunity for the student to acquire expertise in a range of cutting edge techniques including CRISPR genome and epigenome editing, high throughput sequence analysis and machine learning.


The Edinburgh CRUK Centre is now directly linked to the new, state of the art Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine (IGMM) Systems Medicine building, designed around our thriving community of computational biologists. The IGMM brings together over 500 research and support scientists in research programmes across the whole spectrum of basic, clinical and translational research. Edinburgh has often been voted as the city offering the highest quality of life in the UK, and is renowned for its affordability and rich cultural life.

Students should have, or expect to obtain a good Upper Second or First Class degree. Applicants should send a covering letter, stating why they are interested in the project, along with an up-to-date CV which includes contact details of two academic referees to [Email Address Removed] by 13th February. Interviews will be held on Friday 3rd March.

*Please note that applicants do not need to submit more than one application if they are interested in more than one project.

Applicants must also submit an online application to our PhD programme via EUCLID following the instructions on the IGMM studentship website at: http://www.igmm.ed.ac.uk/students/cruk-4-year-programme-euclid-instructions/

We will not consider applications that have not been submitted to both [Email Address Removed] and EUCLID by the closing date.

If you have not heard from us by 3 March please consider your application unsuccessful (we will not be able to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications).