Fully funded PhD Studentship
University of Leeds
Development of a Novel Tool to Determine how Aberrant
Recombination Reactions Cause Leukaemia
V(D)J recombination generates a highly diverse set of immunoglobulin and T
cell receptor genes to enable vertebrates to fight a vast range of infections.
However, since the reaction involves the breakage and rejoining of DNA, it is
inherently risky and between 35-40% of lymphoid cancers are thought to have
arisen from mistakes in V(D)J recombination and related reactions. Since
there are over 15,000 new cases of lymphoid cancer per year in the UK alone,
there is a strong need to better understand what causes these aberrant
recombination reactions.
Until recently, experiments to investigate this relied heavily on the use of
animals. However, we have now developed a novel inducible V(D)J
recombination system in which recombination can be activated at will.
This project, funded by the NC3Rs, will firstly develop this unique tool further
to eliminate the use of animals and secondly, will use the inducible
recombination system to examine the safeguards that prevent chromosome
translocations during V(D)J recombination. Specifically, this latter part of the
project will focus on investigating how distant regions of immunoglobulin loci
become coordinately activated.
The project will utilize state-of-the-art technologies to give the student first
class training in modern molecular, cellular and cancer biology.
The successful applicant will receive fees and stipend (c. £13590 for 2013-14).
Applicants should have, or be expecting to receive, a first class or IIi Hons
degree in a relevant subject. This studentship is for three years and can begin
immediately or, at the latest by October 2014.
Informal enquiries to Dr. Joan Boyes (j.m.boyes@leeds.ac.uk)
Please apply online, selecting PhD in Biological Sciences:
https://studentservices.leeds.ac.uk/pls/banprod/bwskalog_uol.P_DispLoginNon
Include a CV and cover letter with your online application, stating that you
wish to be considered for the NC3Rs studentship.
Application queries to Martha Smith (fbsgrad@leeds.ac.uk)
Closing date: 6th February 2014