PhD Positions

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No

Offer Description

Forever chemicals, also known as poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are a group of thousands of man-made chemicals used in manufacturing and various everyday products. They are nicknamed 'forever chemicals' because their unique chemical structures make them extremely difficult to break down. They can contaminate soil, surface water, and groundwater. In fact, several PFAS compounds have been detected in the blood of most U.S. adults. There is increasing concern about PFAS due to their potential to induce adverse health effects. Furthermore, PFAS structurally resemble fatty acids because both possess long hydrophobic carbon chains and terminal acidic functional groups, although PFAS contain fluorinated carbon chains. This raises concerns about their potential to disrupt normal lipid homeostasis, including the uptake, transport, and metabolism of fatty acids. This is particularly important because cancer cells often exhibit altered fatty acid metabolism to support rapid growth and survival. Moreover, recent data have indicated an association between higher PFAS plasma levels and poorer overall survival in patients with the most common and aggressive subtype of ovarian cancer (high-grade serous ovarian cancer, HGSC). HGSC remains the most lethal subtype of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer grows quickly and can progress from the early stages to advanced disease within a year.

Therefore, the aim of this project is to test the hypothesis that PFAS facilitate the spread of HGSC by reprogramming metabolism towards fatty acid utilisation. To address key knowledge gaps in the field of the contribution of PFAS to HGSC dissemination, this proposal will combine in vitro and in vivo approaches. In Aim 1, we will verify whether the regulation of fatty acid metabolism by PFAS is a key pathway by which these compounds are involved in HGSC metastasis. In Aim 2, we will evaluate the in vivo effect of PFAS on the peritoneal invasion of HGSC cells and identify sites of cancer cell colonisation. We will assess the efficacy of pharmacological inhibitors in the presence or absence of PFAS. The overall aim of the proposed studies is to determine whether PFAS have the potential to alter the fatty acid metabolism of cancer cells and, via this pathway, stimulate cancer dissemination

Where to apply

Website: https://irk.uj.edu.pl

Requirements

Research Field: Biological sciences » Other

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Availability and flexibility are required due to the specific nature of the biological material used in the project.
• Hands-on experience with basic molecular and cellular biology techniques (e.g. Real-Time PCR, Western blot) as well as in statistical analyses.
• Knowledge of cancer biology and/or lipid metabolism is desirable.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research team.
• Good command of written and spoken English (at least at B2 level)

Specific Requirements

• All documents required for regular recruitment:
• see file: Required documents for PhD Programme in Biology education programme
• from the list indicated in the above file it is not required to submit: Statement of support from a researcher (...) about the possibility of undertaking scientific cooperation in a specific scope
• Due to the subject matter of the project additionally required:
• a documented master's degree in cancer research
• documented hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture is required.

Languages: ENGLISH

Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology Medical sciences » Cancer research

Additional Information

Website for additional job details: https://science.phd.uj.edu.pl/en_GB/rekrutacja/konkursy_otwarte/-/journal_content/56_INSTANCE_RDlx0DYCtObf/142594442/161340385

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology

Country: Poland

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University

Country: Poland

Contact

City: Kraków

Website: http://www.binoz.uj.edu.pl/

Street: Gronostajowa 7

Postal Code: 30-387