About us
Postgraduate Studentship: Cancer Biology
Location
UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science & UCD Conway Institute
Description
Project Overview: Applications are invited from highly motivated graduates/postgraduates of biochemistry, pharmacology, genetics or related biomedical discipline for a PhD position in the area of cancer biology. The successful applicant will join a dynamic team of researchers investigating the role of thromboxane and its receptor in the mediation and progression of cancer. The research will be carried out in the laboratory of Prof. B. Therese Kinsella in the UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science located within the UCD Conway Institute.
General background: The lifetime risk of developing cancer is ~ 40%, and rising. Hence, reducing the risk of disease is a key goal of cancer-prevention strategies. It has been suggested that frequent use of the widely used pain-killer and anti-blood clotting agent Aspirin greatly reduces the risk of many common cancers. However, the way in which it does so is currently unknown. One such proposal is that the benefits of Aspirin as an anti-cancer agent may be due to its ability to inhibit the generation of thromboxane, a substance more typically known for its role in blood clotting in the body. Through recent research, Prof. Kinsella’s team has made a number of important discoveries to potentially explain the increasing recognition of thromboxane in cancer progression (J Biol Chem (2011), 286(17):15440-57). The main aim of the study will be to investigate the role of thromboxane and its signalling cascades in cancer progression and to investigate whether antagonism of its receptor may be a useful therapeutic approach in the spread or metastasis of prostate and/or breast cancer.
Qualifications
Candidates should graduates with a 2.1 or higher honours primary degree or M.Sc in Biochemistry, Genetics, Pharmacology or a related biomedical subject. The position is a fully funded position and will begin early (Jan/Feb) 2013.
Further Details
Contact: Prof. B. Therese Kinsella, School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute, University College Dublin. Tel. 00353-1- 7166727 http://www.ucd.ie/sbbs/sbbsstaff/academicstaff/tkinsella/
Email applications asap (to include a letter of application outlining suitability to position, an updated CV and full contact details, including email address, for 2-3 academic referees) to: Therese.Kinsella@ucd.ie
Closing Date
17 December 2012