PhD project: Realising the potential of prognostic DNA Methylation Cancer Biomarkers
Job No:
G43
Location:
Darlinghurst, Sydney
We are seeking a motivated and hard-working student to discover novel tumour biology using epigenetic and bioinformatic techniques, to develop new diagnostic tests for improved patient care. The student will be joining a supportive and established team at the Garvan Institute, in a project led by Dr Ruth Pidsley (DNA Methylation Biomarkers Group Leader) and Prof Susan Clark (Cancer Epigenetics Lab Head).
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, and in a subset of patients the disease progresses rapidly to metastasis and death. Current clinical tools lack accuracy in identifying the patients with high-risk disease. Recently we identified a novel set of DNA Methylation Biomarkers associated with prostate cancer metastasis and lethality (1). Our aim now is to a) interrogate the biological function of these epigenetic changes in the prostate and b) further validate the prognostic potential of the markers in order to advance the biomarker test into the clinic. Our vision is to develop a clinical test for early detection of high-risk disease to improve patient care and survival.
The project on offer will explore gene regulation using cutting-edge epigenetic tools (CRISPR-methylation, 4C, single-cell and spatial methods) and provides the opportunity to conduct translational epigenetic research using established cancer biobanks and cohorts at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research/The Kinghorn Cancer Center.
The PhD project will provide training in epigenetic and cell biology laboratory techniques and bioinformatics, as well as helping you to develop important transferrable skills including complex data analytics, project management and science communication.
- Pidsley R, et. al., Comprehensive methylome sequencing reveals prognostic epigenetic biomarkers for prostate cancer mortality (In press) Clinical and Translational Medicine
Link to Profile: Dr Ruth Pidsley | Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Link to Profile: Prof Susan Clark | Garvan Institute of Medical Research