PhD In Cancer and Genetics: The role Wnt signalling in blood stem cell development and in acute myeloid leukaemia

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a highly variable disease making it difficult to treat, however, a unifying feature of this disease is that normal blood cell development is blocked. Wnt signalling is a key developmental regulator and ranks as one of the most dysregulated processes in this disease (as well as other types of cancer). Consequently it has been the focus of considerable interest by our group as a basis of possible novel treatments. Despite this, evidence for its role in AML and indeed in normal haematopoiesis is uncertain; this stems from the inability to completely silence components of the Wnt signalling pathway and the functional redundancy of some of the central mediators. The advent of gene editing (using CRISPR) now allows these questions to be addressed directly in the human context. Using this technology, this project will conclusively address the role of the central mediator of canonical Wnt signalling, β-catenin, both in normal blood cell development and in the growth and survival of leukaemia cells. In addition, the project will address the likely independent role of TCF proteins (which are the transcriptional effectors of Wnt signalling).

This work forms part of an on-going programme of study with a review and 2 high impact factor papers already published and one in preparation; this will put the student in a good position to quickly generate high impact factor publications 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. 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.

To be considered for School of Medicine Studentship funding, applicants should apply via the University’s online application service (SIMS) for Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine) (October 2018). In the funding section, please select "I will be applying for a scholarship / grant" and specify that you are applying for advertised funding from School of Medicine.

In order to be considered candidates must submit the following information:

• Supporting statement
• CV
• Qualification certificates
• References x 2
• Proof of English language (if applicable)

The process for applying will be made clear on the advertisements. The PGR Office will be responsible for checking eligibility.

Applications will be accepted for UK and EU candidates wishing to study on a full time basis staring on 1st October 2018. Candidates must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree or the equivalent in an appropriate area of biomedical sciences. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have a Master’s degree or have significant relevant non-academic experience. Candidates will need to have achieved at least 6.5 in IELTS (and no less than 6.5 in any section) by the start of the programme.