Funding and Finance

PhD Studentship- Alleviating Defective Autophagy to Promote Cell Death for Melanoma Therapy

  • Institute of Cellular Medicine
  • Reference Code: ICM95


Closing Date: 9th April 2010

Details:

Supervisors: Dr Penny Lovat, Dr Jane Armstrong, Dr Christopher Redfern
Institute: Institute of Cellular Medicine
Sponsor: The British Skin Foundation
Duration of the award: 3 years

Cutaneous metastatic melanoma remains largely untreatable due to the notorious resistance of such tumours to apoptosis (Type I programmed cell death). With around 8,000 cases diagnosed each year in the UK alone, there is an acute need for a novel therapeutic approach.

Activating mutations in the RAS/RAF pathway leading to enhanced survival signalling occur in up to 90% of all melanomas, and as such contribute to melanoma initiation, progression and resistance to therapy. Recent advances in cancer treatment suggest that apoptosis resistance may be overcome by chemotherapeutic agents which induce autophagic (Type II) cell death.

The purpose of this research is to identify the mechanisms by which oncogenic RAS/RAF signalling confers resistance to autophagy in melanoma, both in vitro and in vivo through the use of melanoma cell lines and primary melanoma tissue. Results from these studies will define mechanisms mediating autophagy resistance, facilitating the design of better therapeutic strategies through which to alleviate defective autophagy and promote cell death for melanoma therapy.

An integral part of this PhD studentship is a comprehensive high quality research training and development programme, which will provide you with the support and training to become a proficient and successful researcher. 

As a collaborative project with the University of Rome, you will also spend a period of time working in an international laboratory in Italy. This experience will not only further develop your transferable skills but will also enhance your academic development in the wider field of dermatology, biomedical sciences and health-related sciences.

The project will start in October 2010.

Person Specification
You should have, or expect to achieve, a minimum of an upper-second- class Honours degree, or equivalent, or ideally an MSc or MRes in a relevant biological sciences subject. If English is not your first language you must have a minimum of IELTS 7.0 or equivalent.

Value of Award and Eligibility
This studentship is available to UK, EU or international students. The studentship covers UK/EU tuition fees and annual stipend of £14,000 (2010-2011). International student may apply for this studentship. However they will need to source additional funding to cover the difference in cost between UK/EU fees and international fees.

How to Apply
The University's postgraduate application form must be completed; selecting ‘PhD in the Faculty of Medical Sciences (full time) - Cellular Medicine’ as the programme of study and inserting the reference number ICM95. Only mandatory fields need to be completed (no personal statement required) - a CV and covering letter must be attached. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote the reference number ICM95 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project.

Closing date: Friday 9th April 2010

Further Information
For more details, please contact Dr Penny Lovat (p.e.lovat@ncl.ac.uk)