Version 2
Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
PhD Project Template
PI name & contact details:
School:
Has project been agreed with head (or
nominee) of proposed registration school?
Research Centre / group affiliation:
Research group / centre website:
Prof Noel Francis LOWNDES
Biochemistry/School of Natural Sciences
Yes
Centre for Chromosome Biology / Genome Stability
Laboratory
http://www.chromosome.ie
PI website / link to CV:
http://www.chromosome.ie/researchers/lowndes
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity:
If you are already involved in relevant scholarly activities relating to Brazil, please mention them here.
Professor Lowndes’ research career spans two decades in leading research laboratories in the USA,
UK and Ireland. He was appointed to the Chair of Biochemistry at the National University of Ireland
Galway in 2001 where he leads the Genome Stability Laboratory. His group investigates mechanisms
of sensing and responding to DNA damage using yeast, DT40 and human cells. His leadership of the
Centre of Chromosome Biology (www.chromosome.ie/) has been pivotal in positioning NUIG at the
forefront of Irish cancer biology. In 2003, Professor Lowndes was elected to the membership of the
European Molecular Biology Organisation, one of 5 EMBO members in Ireland.
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
The role of RNA binding protein in the cellular responses to DNA damage:
DNA damage must be recognized and appropriate cellular responses triggered to protect
genomic integrity and prevent cancer. Surprisingly, recent work implicates a role for RNA
binding proteins in the DNA damage response (DDR). Consistent with this possibility our
recent proteomic screening has identified a number of RNA binding proteins with novel roles
in the DDR. In this project the regulation, function and mechanism of candidate RNA binding
protein in the DNA damage response will be characterized in detail and the hypothesis that
aberrant regulation of these protein may be implicated in carcinogenesis will be investigated.
Hypothesis and specific aims:
Our general hypothesis is that specific RNA binding proteins are required for the DDR. Aims :
1) Establish the role of our candidate RNA binding proteins in the cellular responses DSBs
2) Determine whether any of these protein plays roles in the aetiology of cancer.
Experimental Plan:
1) Use ‘knock-down’ (siRNA and shRNA) and ‘knock-out’ (gene targeting) approaches to abrogate
gene function and study cellular responses to DNA damage using well established assays
2) Screen for perturbed expression in cancer cell lines and cancer samples
The high novelty of our preliminary observations has begun to elucidate new biological mechanisms
required for a successful DNA damage response. Detailed characterisation of these mechanisms will
result in publications in leading internationally peer review publications. Importantly, the new
factors identified will be assesed for their future potential as new cancer therapeutic targets.
Unique selling points of PhD project in NUI Galway:
1) The PI is an internationally leading researcher in genome stability studies
2) Excellent multidisciplinary laboratory facilities (note, in July 2013 the host laboratory will
relocate to the new BioScience Building at NUIG , see http://www.guf.ie/index.php/priority-
Version 2
Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
projects/project_detail/biosciences-research-building1/)
3) Strong collaborative links with international leaders in the field within Europe and the
USA.
4) Excellent track record in the field
5) Strong funding record, including national (SFI/HRB), international (EU) and philantrophic
(O’Sullivan Biomedical Trust) agencies
6) Strong strategic focus on Biomedical Science
7) Strong technical background in:
a. Genetics (use of gene targeting for either ablating gene function or acquisition of
new functions)
b. Biochemistry (protein functions & interaction, quantitiative proteomics)
c. Cell Biology (fixed and live cell microscopy)
d. Advanced specialist techniques (DNA combing, isolation of proteins on nascent
DNA, elutriation, stable isotope labelling with amino acids in cell culture or SILAC)
8) Nearby Brazilian community (see:
http://euscreen.eu/play.jsp?id=EUS_346071ABF1C64166BF02025C40B29ED8)
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Science, Cell Biology, Genetics, Pharmacology,
physiology, or any other comparable discipline of Molecular Biology
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- only one :
Engineering and other technological areas
Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)/Physical Sciences (Mathematics,
Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geosciences)
Health and Biomedical Sciences / Clinical, Pré-clinical and Health Sciences
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Computing
Aerospace
Pharmaceuticals
Sustainable Agricultural Production
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
Minerals, Minerals Technology
Biotechnology
X
Nanotechnology and New Materials
Technologies for Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Disasters
Bioprospecting and Biodiversity
Marine Sciences
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering
Please indicate which of the following applies to this project (referring to Science Without Borders):
Suitable only as a Full PhD (Y/N): _Yes_
Available to candidates seeking a Sandwich PhD arrangement (Y/N): _No_