Download Speirs _PhD Studentship - Faculty of Medicine and Health

PhD Studentship in the Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology
Faculty of Medicine and Health
University of Leeds
Developing Advanced In Vitro Models to Study Breast Cancer
Supervisor: Professor Valerie Speirs
Funding: Self-funded
Research Project:
For many years scientists adopted a reductionist approach to study breast cancer biology.
Nowadays it is recognised that this approach is inadequate in order to fully understand the
complexity and heterogeneity of breast cancer, with 3D cell cultures emerging as more
physiologically meaningful alternatives for many biological applications. These are attractive
because they more closely mimic in vivo morphology, especially when co-cultured with
stromal fibroblasts (1). More recently this has been extended to precision cut tissue slices,
where tissue is retained in its native state (2,3)
The key objectives are:
1) To develop a robust in vitro pre-clinical breast cancer model
2) Compare the behaviour of breast cancer cells in 3D and in precision cut tissue slices by
measuring proliferation, apoptosis, gene expression profiles and the activation of
downstream signalling pathways
3) Examine the influence of the microenvironment in precision cut tissue slices
Over the first 18 months the 3D and precision cut tissue slice models will be perfected and
characterised. Subsequently the student will explore their biology, in particular the influence
of the microenvironment and examine and quantify response to therapies. This work aims to
develop a more realistic model to study breast cancer and it is hoped that this might be
suitable as a pre-clinical screen to develop novel therapies.
This project would suit a student with a strong background in mammalian cell culture and
previous training in cell and molecular biology. You will have the opportunity to enhance
these skills using advanced in vitro models, also gaining experience in molecular biology and
bioinformatics, working in a large diverse research Institute.
References:
1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24412474
2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26647838
3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23076396
Environment:
The student will be based in the University of Leeds in the Section of Pathology & Tumour
Biology, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds. Training will be
provided in the relevant technical areas. The group is a founding member of the Breast
Cancer Now Tissue Bank (http://www.breastcancertissuebank.org/). Through this and our
local breast biobank we have excellent access to necessary human clinical materials to
establish in vitro model systems.
Eligibility:
This project is available immediately to both Home/EU rate applicants and International
applicants who are able to self-fund their studies. Students must be able to provide the
appropriate level of fees based on their fee status plus a minimum of £12000 laboratory
consumables costs per year. This is in addition to the provision of personal living expenses.
Candidate whose first language is not English must provide evidence that their English
language is sufficient to meet the specific demands of their study, the Faculty minimum
requirements are:
•
•
British Council IELTS - score of 6.5 overall, with no element less than 6.0
TOEFL iBT - overall score of 92 with the listening and reading element no less than
21, writing element no less than 22 and the speaking element no less than 23.
Applicants with sufficient funding must still undergo formal interview prior to acceptance in
order to demonstrate scientific aptitude and English language capability.
How to apply:
Applications can be made throughout the year. To apply for this scholarship applicants should
complete a Faculty Scholarship Application form and send this alongside a full academic CV,
degree transcripts (or marks so far if still studying) and degree certificates to the Faculty
Graduate School [email protected]
Any queries regarding the application process should be directed to [email protected]
Potential applicants are welcome to contact Professor Valerie Speirs with informal enquiries
about this research project [email protected]. Website:
http://medhealth.leeds.ac.uk/profile/900/73/valerie_speirs