CRUK PhD Studentship

University of Birmingham -School of Cancer Sciences

College of Medical & Dental Sciences

'Understanding the function of CTCF recruitment to oncogenic HPV genomes in the complete HPV life cycle'

Lead Supervisor: Dr Jo Parish
Institute: University of Birmingham,
Project duration: 4 years
Funded by: CRUK

Applications are invited to work with Dr. Jo Parish and Dr. Sally Roberts on an exciting 4-year PhD studentship within a collegiate, multidisciplinary and integrated research team. It will involve a period of work in the laboratory of our colleague at the University of Cambridge.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the major cause of cervical cancer, resulting in approximately 200,000 deaths in women worldwide each year. Infection is also associated with the development of head and neck cancers, other anogenital cancers, and persistent genital and skin warts. We have isolated a novel interaction between HPV and the host protein CTCF, and aim to functionally characterise this interaction in the viral life cycle and cancer development.

We hypothesise that HPV recruits CTCF to specific binding sites within the viral genome to control gene expression and completion of the productive virus life cycle. Our aim is to understand the relationship between HPV and CTCF and determine the functional significance of CTCF recruitment in the complete virus life cycle and in malignancy.

Project Objectives

1. Determine when and where CTCF associates with HPV genomes in primary human keratinocytes and HPV infected patient-derived cells
2. Analyse the importance of CTCF binding in early and late stages of the HPV infectious cycle
3. Determine the consequence of HPV infection on the expression of CTCF regulated cellular genes

Person Specification We're looking for a highly motivated person with a passion for cancer/biological research that either holds or realistically expects to obtain at least an Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a relevant subject.  

This position is fully funded for university fees and a stipend at standard CRUK rate (for an October 2013 start)

How to apply Enquiries or applications including a CV, names and addresses of two referees and a covering letter should be sent to Nicola Windridge, Research and Knowledge Transfer Office, Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT or email n.j.windridge@bham.ac.uk

Informal enquires can be sent to Dr. Jo Parish by email to j.l.parish@bham.ac.uk

The closing date is Wednesday 14^th January 2013