School of Medicine, Division of Human DevelopmentFaculty of Medical and Human Sciences

The Division of Human Development invites applications for the above studentship which is for a period of 3 years leading to the degree of PhD. The award will include an annual stipend at the standard MRC rate of £12, 000.

Background: It is now realised that many human cancers are caused by infection with different types of tumour virus and the main focus of the Hampson group is to use these viruses as tools to facilitate greater understanding of tumour biology per se. The group has a unique collection of viral oncoproteins obtained from many different tumour viruses worldwide which all have one thing in common – they cause malignant disease and it is now clear that studies on how these infectious agents cause cancer will provide new insights into malignancies with no known viral aetiology.

Experimental Plan: The student may choose from a variety of projects all aimed at clarifying the mechanisms by which tumour viruses induce human cancer. Several novel cellular targets of viral oncoproteins have already been identified and the student may either:- (a) Participate in functional analysis of these by studying the consequences of both forced expression and targeted gene silencing in a variety of transformed and non transformed cell lines or (b) Embark on finding new targets by the use of yeast two hybrid protein/protein interaction trap screening to identify the cellular binding partners of selected viral oncoproteins combined with micro array transcriptional profiling of cells artificially engineered to produce these viral proteins. The product of this work will be greater understanding of the cellular proteins that are directly or indirectly regulated by tumour viruses which may give important clues for the development of novel antiviral/anticancer therapeutics.

The project will be based in the gynaecological oncology laboratories at St Mary’s Hospital that were established eight years ago by Dr Ian Hampson. The primary focus of the group is molecular oncology research within the University of Manchester’s division of Human Development.

Specifically, we will be looking for applicants holding the following:
* 1st or upper 2nd class BSc in molecular/cellular biology or equivalent in virology or a related life sciences discipline.
* IT skills including Word, PowerPoint & Excel and a proven ability to prepare written reports.
* Good communication and interpersonal skills.
* Ability to work within a small team.

Informal inquiries may be made to Dr Lynne Hampson via email: Lynne.hampson@manchester.ac.uk or tel: 0161 276 5606 or Dr Ian Hampson, e-mail ian.hampson@manchester.ac.uk or tel 0161 276 6478

Interested applicants should submit their full CV’s and a covering letter outlining their suitability for the project to the following address:
Dr Lynne Hampson & Dr Ian Hampson
University of Manchester
Gynaecological Oncology Laboratory,
Room 100,
St Mary’s Hospital,
Hathersage Road,
Manchester M13 OJH

Alternatively, CV’s and covering letters can be e-mailed directly to either of the above addresses.

Closing date for applications: 23rd September 2005

Reference:
http://www.jobs.ac.uk/jobfiles/PV889.html