Polysialyltransferases as a target in metastatic cancer

Details

Polysialic acid plays an essential role in neuronal development, but by adulthood is absent from the human body. Its biosynthesis is regulated by two polysialyltransferases. Polysialic acid is aberrantly re-expressed on the surface of many tumours, where it plays a key role in diseases progression and metastasis. It is therefore an attractive anti-cancer target [1].

The Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, at the University of Bradford, is focused on the development of novel polysialyltransferase inhibitors, using computational chemistry to aid compound design. We have developed assays to assess compound inhibition [2] and have utilized tool compounds to show the potential of the approach [3]. We additionally have explored the role of polySia expression in hypoxia, a characteristic common to solid tumours [4,5]. The wider project benefits from funding from programme funding from Yorkshire Cancer Research and more recently from the Wellcome Trust. The student will join a successful, motivated multidisciplinary team with expertise in medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, immunohistochemistry and drug analysis.

This project will focus on the biological evaluation of potential polysialyltransferase inhibitors, utilising in vitro assays to assess compound inhibition, and techniques to assess effects of compounds on cell adhesion, migration, and invasion.

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 course type and use the keywords ‘cancer therapeutics’. Please include the project title on the Research Proposal section; applicants are not required to supply a 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.

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