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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