The role of TGFß regulated non-coding RNAs in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (2018)
The advent of genome-wide, high-throughput sequencing has transformed our understanding of the complexity of cancer transcriptomes. Brought to prominence have been the non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), operationally classified into two distinct major classes: those 200nt, as long ncRNAs (lncRNAs). It is becoming evident that ncRNAs can exert powerful effects on health and disease, including cancer and metastasis.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal, highly metastatic disease, which remains difficult to detect at an early stage due to a lack of symptoms. Current treatments have a limited response such that five-year survival rates are below 5%. TGFß plays a big role in PDAC progression, but although mRNAs regulated by TGFß have been defined, there is still lack of knowledge about the TGFß-regulated ncRNAs in PDAC and their role in PDAC progression.
Our goal is to use next generation RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technologies to evaluate the ncRNAs regulated by TGFß in PDAC and to understand their mechanism of action. We will focus on the most important TGFß-regulated ncRNAs and test their action evaluating cellular localisation, interacting proteins and ncRNA-controlled chromosomal looping. We will also test their effect on cancer related phenotypes by using CRISPR/CAS9 technologies to stop their transcription and RNAi to reduce their stability.
What you get
Fees and living costs at standard rate set by Research Council UK
Type of award
Postgraduate Research
Eligibility
Ideal candidates will have a strong background in molecular biology and biochemistry with additional experience of laboratory techniques, including cell culture, quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, cloning of nucleic acids. Experience in CRISPR-based technologies are desirable, but not essential.
Eligible candidates will have recently received an MSc and/or a First or high 2:1 BSc in a relevant subject. Candidates for whom English is not their first language will require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with not less than 6.0 in any section.
Deadline
21 January 2018 23:59How to apply
Please submit a formal application using our online application system at http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply (course to apply for is PhD Biochemistry), including a CV, degree transcripts and certificates, statement of interest (clearly stating the title of the project and supervisor's name) and names of two academic referees.
Sponsors
This School funded position covers fees and a stipend at standard RCUK rates, is open to Home / EU applicants.
Contact us
For enquiries about the application process contact Anna Izykowska (a.izykowska@sussex.ac.uk)
For enquiries about the project contact Leandro Castellano (l.castellano@sussex.ac.uk)
Timetable
Deadline to apply: 21 January 2018
Project start date: 24 September 2018
Availability
At level(s):
PG (research)
Application deadline:
21 January 2018 23:59 (GMT)
the deadline has now expired