Newcastle University have opened applications for a MRs/PhD studentship in 'The contribution of lysine methylases to androgen receptor function in advanced prostate cancer'.

Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer-associated deaths in men in the Western world and accounts for approximately 10,000 deaths in the UK. At presentation, prostate cancer growth is androgen-dependent hence the mainstay for treatment is androgen-ablation therapy that block androgen production or action. Unfortunately, after a median time of 18 months, the cancer re-appears in an androgen-independent form, termed castrate-resistant prostate cancer, which is untreatable.

This studentship will assess the effectiveness of the lysine methylase proteins in prostate cancer using both in vitro assays and cell line models that are representative of androgen-sensitive and castrate-resistant disease. These experiments will be further extended to include established primary cultures derived from patient biopsy samples. Clinical evaluation of the importance of these proteins in prostate cancer will be determined using high throughput tissue microarrays. This will determine the importance of this group of enzymes in a more physiological and translational background to provide evidence that they represent effective therapy for prostate cancer.

Click on the link below for details of how to apply. Prompt application is advised as the position will be open until a suitable candidate is found.

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