Website The University of Bradford
Details
Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) catalyse the oxidation and detoxification of reactive endogenous and exogenous aldehydes into carboxylic acids via NAD+ coupled reduction. ALDH1 has been widely studied and is considered a marker of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and has been shown to be predictive of poor clinical outcome. Increased expression of cytosolic ALDH has been implicated as a mechanism whereby tumour cells may escape the lethality of cytotoxic anticancer alkylating agents, such as cyclophosphamide and related congeners. An improved understanding of the role ALDHs play within the tumour microenvironment and stem cell niche is crucial for unravelling their potential for biomarker and drug discovery strategies.
We are looking for an enthusiastic student who is interested in establishing opportunities for how ALDH regulation or function can be exploited for drug discovery. In particular, the high ALDH expression that is a feature of many cancer types and CSC populations might contribute to enhanced DNA repair and this project seek to investigate how such knowledge can be harnessed in drug design.
The student will be trained in 2D and 3D cell culture with a particular focus on ALDH-expressing sub-populations with stem cell properties, target interrogation (e.g. PCR, western blot, immunohistochemistry) including ALDH-chemical probe binding and effects on DNA damage response. The latter aspects will include the use of LCMS to study potential metabolic events caused as a consequence of functional ALDH activity. For students with a particular interest in chemical biology, there is also an opportunity to be trained in drug design.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have at least 2:1 honours degree in Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Biology, Pharmacy or related degree.
How to apply
Formal applications can be submitted via the University of Bradford web site. Applicants should register an account, select ‘Postgraduate Research’ as the type of course and use the keywords ‘cancer therapeutics’. Please include the title of the project on the ‘Research Proposal’ section; applicants are not required to write their own research proposal for this project.
Informal enquiries are also welcome.
About the University of Bradford
Bradford is a research-active University supporting the highest-quality research. We excel in applying our research to benefit our stakeholders by working with employers and organisations world-wide across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors and actively encourage and support our postgraduate researchers to engage in research and business development activities.
Positive Action Statement
At the University of Bradford our vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity, where people want to, and can, make a difference. We place equality and diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to social mobility at the centre of our mission and ethos. In working to make a difference we are committed to addressing systemic inequality and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students.
Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action can be taken where protected group members are under-represented. At Bradford, our data show that people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups who are UK nationals are significantly under-represented at the postgraduate researcher level.
These are lawful measures designed to address systemic and structural issues which result in the under-representation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in PGR studies.
Funding Notes
This is a self-funded PhD project; applicants will be expected to pay their own fees or have a suitable source of third-party funding. A bench fee may also apply to this project, in addition to the tuition fees. UK students may be able to apply for a Doctoral Loan from Student Finance for financial support.
Want fewer missed deadlines?
Follow a channel you care about (Graduate → Post-PhD).