PhD Project: Characterising the molecular heterogeneity of pancreatic cancer one cell at a time: personalised medicine in action.
Job No:
G888
Location:
Darlinghurst, Sydney
Characterising the molecular heterogeneity of pancreatic cancer one cell at a time: personalised medicine in action.
Supervisor: Dr Marina Pajic, Personalised Cancer Therapeutics Lab, Garvan Institute
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the most lethal of all malignancies, with 5-year survival of only 8%. The highly aggressive nature and the early metastatic behaviour of PC (ie the ability of cancer cells to spread quickly to other organs), is a key reason behind why this cancer is so lethal. Understanding the biology driving metastatic and therapy-resistant cancer is therefore critical for the design and development of effective therapies to improve patient survival.
Our highly collaborative genomic studies have already revealed marked molecular heterogeneity in morphologically indistinguishable pancreatic cancers (Waddell, Nature 2015; Bailey, Nature 2016) as well as broad mediators behind treatment resistance (Pajic, Clinical Cancer Research 2017; Pajic, Cancer research 2018), coupled with development of more tailored, effective therapeutic approaches for this hard-to-treat malignancy (Chou, Gut 2018; Vennin, Science Translational Medicine 2017). Cancers, including pancreatic cancer are made up of many different cell types, including molecularly varied cancer cells, and other cell types in this complex tumour microenvironment that collectively promote cancer growth and progression.
In this study, we aim to, utilising a novel single-cell sequencing technology, pinpoint the mechanisms behind the biological cross-talk between cancer cells with their neighbouring stroma that causes them to metastasise and ultimately escape the effects of drug treatment. This knowledge will be used in turn to inform the rational design of novel, effective and tailored treatment options for pancreatic cancer, a disease for which there are currently no curative systemic therapies.
What we are looking for: A talented individual with a strong work ethic, communication and teamwork skills (and a 1st Class Honours). Must be passionate about science, and have a strong interest in pancreatic cancer research. A willingness to be involved in research involving animals is required and experience in general molecular biology techniques is desirable.
Further information: https://www.garvan.org.au/people/marpaj
Please feel free to contact me directly on m.pajic@garvan.org.au