PhD Selection and validation of candidate serum biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer
Erasmus Medical Centre
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common male malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer-related death in most European countries. In order to improve diagnosis and prognosis, a series of novel serum proteins have been identified that are differentially present in PCa. The next step is to confirm the differential expression of the peptides in an extended set of patient samples using TripleQuad Mass Spectrometry (MS) in combination with the selective reaction monitoring (SRM) method. Based on the outcome combined with data mining, promising candidate biomarkers will enter the validation phase.
In-house developed or commercially available immunoassays will be used in order to test large series of patient serum samples for biomarker expression in the various PCa disease stages to determine diagnostic and prognostic power. Tissue expression will be analyzed by immunohistochemistry on Tissue MicroArrays (TMA) and other formalin-fixed, paraffinembedded (FFPE) prostate (cancer) tissues including biopsies to study in which cell type and to what extend the candidate biomarker is produced, revealing whether marker expression, particularly in biopsies, has prognostic value.
Supervisors for this project are Dr. Guido Jenster, Dr. Theo Luider and Dr. Arno van Leenders. Erasmus MC, Rotterdam
Job-requirements
The candidate should have an MSc degree in Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Life Sciences, Biochemistry, or from a related field of training. Preferably the candidate has experience with molecular biology techniques and cell culture. English language skills are essential.
Applicants canbe nationals of any country other than The Netherlands and must not have resided or carried out their main activity in The Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment.
Candidates should be researchers in the first four years of their research careers measured from the date when they obtained the degree which would formally entitle them to embark on a doctorate.
Embedding and conditions of employment
The PhD student working on the project will be part of PRO-NEST, a unique European integrated multi-disciplinary training programme for young researchers interested in prostate cancer research, funded by the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme.
We offer you a temporary full-time appointment as PhD student for a period of 3 years, starting in the autumn of 2009.
Information
Applicants should submit an application letter by email to the PRO-NEST project manager Dr. Ellen Schenk at e.schenk-braataterasmusmc.nl mentioning vacancynumber 29.01.09.PRONEST.
The application should include a statement on the position of interest, motivation, research interests and how the Marie Curie eligibility criteria are met, as well as a CV and the contact details of 2 referees. Further information on the PRO-NEST project, eligibility criteria and how to apply can be obtained at www.pro-nest.org.
