Research Associate - University of York, United Kingdom - University of York

University of York

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University of York, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

Department:

We are also part of the York Biomedical Research Institute and of the Hull York Medical School.

Role:

The Fielding laboratory is seeking a post doctoral research associate to work on the cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF) in acute lymphoblastic leuakemia (ALL) for 3 years.

We recently identified a key component of the niche that protects ALL cells from chemotherapy, namely, the development of CAF from bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC).

CAF appeared prominently in primary patient specimens obtained during treatment for ALL.

We modelled the _de novo_ development of CAF _in vitro_ from either normal, healthy human MSC or the stromal cell line HS27a upon exposure to ROS-inducing chemotherapy.

CAFs formed a nestin-positive niche in murine ALL bone marrow and 'rescued' the ALL cells from chemotherapy agents upon transfer of mitochondria from the CAF.

MSC also become CAF not just by exposure to chemotherapy but also by exposure to the ALL cells themselves. Mitochondria released from ALL cells are taken up from by MSC without the need for cell-cell contact. We suspect damaged mitochondrial (mt) nucleic acid as the trigger for CAF formation. There are multiple directions for future work. The precise project will be defined, in part, by the interest and skills of the applicant.

Some members of the Fielding group remain at UCL but will visit York regularly and will be available for technical training and assistance.

The post is based full time at the University of York, with some opportunities for research experience as a visiting scientist at UCL.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed:

Interview date:
To be confirmed

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