PhD Scholarship – The Role of Cell Polarity in Tissue Repair

(A/Prof Helena Richardson’s & Prof Patrick Humbert’s laboratories at the Department of Biochemistry & Genetics, La Trobe Institute of Molecular Sciences (LIMS), La Trobe University Melbourne Campus (Bundoora)

We offer a PhD scholarship to an exceptional student (who has achieved a H1 Honours or equivalent) to determine how cell polarity perturbations affect signalling pathways in tissue repair. The project utilizes the model organism, Drosophila, and mammalian epithelial cell culture. This project will have important implications for understanding wound healing as well as cancer.

The Applicant should have Australian citizenship or residency. They should be highly driven and have a high level of achievement, including a first class Honours degree or equivalent in the field of Cell Biology and/or Genetics. Knowledge of Cell Biology theory and techniques is essential, and knowledge of Genetics, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry approaches is desirable. Experience in the Drosophila model organism, although not essential, will be highly beneficial.

The project will address the role of cell shape (polarity) regulation in epithelial tissue homeostasis, using an in vivo approach utilizing the Drosophila model system, and an in vitro approach with cultured mammalian epithelial cells. Sophisticated genetic techniques will be used to generate mutant patches of cells within an epithelium and the effect on cell morphology, cell extrusion, signalling pathways, cell proliferation, apoptosis and protein-protein interactions will be monitored utilizing sophisticated cell biological approaches involving fixed samples or live cell imaging. The project seeks to reveal novel mechanisms by which mutant cells interact with their microenvironment that can be utilized therapeutically to improve wound repair or to enhance elimination of the mutant cells.

Benefits of the scholarship

Benefits of the scholarship include:

• A La Trobe University Research Scholarship for three years, with a value of $26,288 per annum, to support your living costs [2016 rate]
• Opportunities to work with outstanding researchers at the Department of Biochemistry & Genetics, LIMS and have access to cutting-edge equipment and professional development programs
• Opportunities for authorship on high impact scientific manuscripts.
• Opportunities to attend national and international conferences

How to apply

• Review how to apply for a graduate research scholarship at: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/research/future/apply
• Contact A/Prof. Helena Richardson by email at h.richardson@latrobe.edu.au, with a full CV, academic transcript, and a cover letter outlining why you would like to be considered for this scholarship.
• A/Prof Helena Richardson and Prof Patrick Humbert at the Department of Biochemistry & Genetics, LIMS will carefully review your application and consider you for this Scholarship.
• The successful applicant who receives in-principle agreement for supervision, will then submit a complete PhD application to the La Trobe Graduate Research School, attaching a copy of the agreement to admissions.grs@latrobe.edu.au

You will be advised of an outcome by 30^th April, 2017.

Closing date

Applications close 1 April 2017, unless filled sooner.

Contact us

If you require further information, please contact:  h.richardson@latrobe.edu.au or the La Trobe University Graduate Research School: grs@latrobe.edu.au

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