Reference Code: CR056
Supervisors: Dr F May, Northern Institute for Cancer Research and Mr J Shenfine, Northern Oesophago-Gastric Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust
Sponsor: Northern Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Fund and Newcastle Health Care Charity
Duration of the award: Three year PhD
Project description
The annual incidence of gastric cancer in the UK is 8,000. Mortality rates are high in Britain, because there is no screening programme and gastric cancers are asymptomatic until late in the disease progression. Most patients are diagnosed with disease that is too advanced for curative resection; only 12% survive 5 years after diagnosis. The only effective systemic treatment for patients with disseminated disease is palliative chemotherapy for which the median duration of response is three months. There is an urgent need for improved treatments for gastric cancer that would improve survival.
The aim of our research is to improve the treatment options available to gastric cancer patients. We hypothesise that it is possible to identify biological therapeutic targets in gastric cancer and that inhibition of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signal transduction pathway could be beneficial in the treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma. Specific aims are to determine responsiveness of gastric cancer cells to IGFs, validate type I IGF receptor-targeted drugs that are in clinical trial for other malignancies in gastric cancer cells and to analyse expression and phosphorylation of IGF signal transduction proteins in gastric tumours.
Based primarily in the Northern Institute for Cancer Research, the student will receive full training in human cell culture, DNA, RNA and protein extraction, real time PCR and western transfer analysis, cell-based assays of cell proliferation, cell survival and cell motility, construction of tissue microarrays, immunohistochemistry, retrieval of pathological and clinical information, database management and statistical analysis.
Value of the Award and Eligibility
The studentship will cover an annual stipend of £14,500 p.a. and tuition fees at the UK or EU rate for three years. This studentship is available only to UK and EU students.
Person Specification
Applicants should hold a first-class or good upper-second-class degree in a relevant subject and have an interest in cancer research. A masters degree in a relevant subject would be an advantage. Applicants with a medical degree will be considered.
How to Apply
You must complete the University's postgraduate application form. Select "Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Sciences) - Cancer Research" as the programme of study. Only mandatory fields need to be completed but you must attach a copy of your CV and a covering letter, with the title of the studentship and reference number CR056.
Applicants should send also a CV and their covering letter, explaining their motivation for applying for the studentship, to: Drs FEB May and J Shenfine, NICR, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Framlington Place, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4HH.
Closing date for applications
Prompt application is advised as this post is available only until a suitable candidate is appointed.
Starting date of 01 Oct 2011.
Further Information
For further information contact Mr Jon Shenfine by e-mail at Jon.Shenfine@nuth.nhs.uk or Dr Felicity EB May by e-mail at F.E.B.May@ncl.ac.uk or by telephone on 0191 246 4417.
