Study level

  • PhD
  • Master of Philosophy
  • Honours

Faculty/School

Faculty of Health

School of Biomedical Sciences

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health

Supervisors

Dr Brett Hollier
Position
Senior Research Fellow
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Health
Professor Colleen Nelson
Position
Professor
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Health
Dr Nataly Stylianou
Position
Research Fellow
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Health

Overview

The MYCN oncogene is amplified in a number of tumour types, including Neuroblastoma (NB) and Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer (NEPC), where it is associated with worse patient prognosis, as compared to non-amplified tumours. However, the high expression of MYCN (encoding the n-MYC protein) alone in non-amplified tumours is associated with better patient prognosis and less aggressive disease. This suggests that other genes co-expressed in MYCN amplified tumours may be responsible for mediating the aggressive traits of n-MYC. Our team has identified a previously uncharacterised gene/protein (termed herein protein MNamp) that is co-expressed with n-MYC in MYCN amplified NB and NEPC, which can mediate the aggressive behaviour of n-MYC. This project will use a variety of biochemistry and cell biology techniques to undertake the first comprehensive characterisation of this novel protein and its role in modulating the biological functions of n-MYC in models of NB and NEPC.

Approaches/skills and techniques:

  • Bacterial and mammalian cell culture.
  • Gene cloning.
  • RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, immunoprecipitations - mass spectrometry.
  • Proximity ligation assays.
  • Western blot, qRTPCR, spectrophotometric assays.
  • Immunofluorescent imaging.
  • Animal studies, immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Through this project, prospective students will gain skills in numerous scientific techniques that are broadly applicable throughout the biomedical science disciplines. Based at the world-class Translational Research Institute, the students will access the state-of-the-art facilities and join a vibrant team of talented biomedical researchers within the Plasticity research group and broader Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre – Queensland.

Outcomes

The overarching hypothesis of the project is that protein MNamp will play a functional role in modulating the aggressive characteristics of n-MYC in MYCN amplified NB and NEPC. The aims of the project are:

Aim 1: Examine the role of MNamp in-vitro and in-vivo.

Aim 2: Establish interactome of MNamp and validate specific interactions.

Aim 3: Establish the transcriptome of MNamp and validate in patient datasets.

Required skills and experience

Potential students should have a keen interest in cancer biology and demonstrate a high level of organisation, attention to detail and ability to work in a team environment. Animal handling, proteomics, and bioinformatic analysis experience desirable but not required.

Scholarships

You may be eligible to apply for a research scholarship.

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Keywords

Contact

Please contact nataly.stylianou@qut.edu.au for further details.