The function and regulation of hyperactive estrogen receptor proteins in breast cancer

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A studentship is available to study estrogen receptor fusion proteins to understand how their hyperactivity drives breast cancer. This is a multidisciplinary project which will provide excellent training opportunities across cancer cell biology, advanced cellular imaging and biochemistry. Over 70% of breast cancers are Estrogen Receptor (ER) positive. The ER drives changes in gene expression in response to hormones and is a critical therapeutic target. Genomic instability, a hallmark of cancer, leads to genomic rearrangements which generate ER fusion proteins. These proteins are hyperactivity and are a recurrent finding in aggressive, therapy-resistant breast cancer. This project will unravel how hyperactivity occurs and how it may be regulated using a combination of advance cellular imaging, gene expression assays and protein biochemistry. Completion of this project will provide a framework for guiding future therapeutic interventions and aid the diagnosis of patients carrying these hyperactive fusion proteins.You will be part of a new multidisciplinary collaboration between Dr. Chris Toseland (Dept. of Oncology and Metabolism in Sheffield www.toseland-lab.com Twitter: @chris.toseland) and Prof. Mark Leake (Dept. of Physics in York https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/people/leake/). The team has an excellent background in using multiple advanced microscopy approaches to study the regulation of DNA-protein interactions.You will join a collaborative, supportive research community in Sheffield, with world-leading single molecule and nucleic acid research centres (http://www.imagine-imaginglife.com and www.genome.sheffield.ac.uk) and an active, friendly and lively PhD student cohort, which hosts regular social events alongside networking and career development opportunities. You will also be part of the Physics of Life Group at York which provides a multidisciplinary network of experts linking physical and life sciences.We are committed to supporting the career development of our students, encouraging attendance at both international and UK meetings, conferences and training courses to develop your research skills and interests.