PhD Student
PhD position (DNA Repair & Genome Stability and Epigenetics & Nuclear Dynamics): Characterization of novel p53 and FA/BRCA pathway mutations from children with cancer Full-time
Thinking of doing your PhD in Molecular Biology? The International PhD Programme (IPP) on Gene Regulation, Epigenetics & Genome Stability is offering talented, young scientists the chance to work at the cutting edge of research. The IPP is a community of exceptional scientists working on diverse topics ranging from how organisms age or how our DNA is repaired, to how epigenetics regulates cellular identity or neural memory.
The programme is coordinated by the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) — a modern research centre located on the bustling campus of Mainz University in Germany. With a population of 200,000, of which about 40,000 are students, the city of Mainz is charming and open-minded and is within easy reach of cosmopolitan Frankfurt, the Rhine valley region with its castles, vineyards, and nature reserves, and the equally picturesque cities of Wiesbaden and Heidelberg. With Frankfurt airport – the largest airport in mainland Europe – only 20 minutes away, countless European and overseas destinations are within easy reach.
Activities and responsibilities:
In the field of “DNA Repair & Genome Stability” and “Epigenetics & Nuclear Dynamics”, the IPP research group of Prof Thomas Hofmann offers the following PhD project:
Characterization of novel p53 and FA/BRCA pathway mutations from children with cancer
Dysfunction of the DNA damage response and DNA repair is a driving force for genome instability and cancer. In childhood cancers, inherited mutations in cancer predisposition genes substantially contribute to cancer development. Childhood cancer is frequently linked to specific cancer-predisposing syndromes (CPS) including Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), Li-Fraumeni like syndrome (LFLS) and Fanconi anemia (FA)/BRCA. Whereas LFS and LFLS patients are characterized by germline mutations deregulating the tumor suppressor p53 pathway, FA/BRCA patients usually harbor mutations in genes regulating DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. Using whole-exome sequencing (WES) of father, mother and children trios we have identified novel heterozygous germline mutations in genes regulating the p53 and FA/BRCA pathway in children with cancer. Understanding the molecular function of these novel mutations will provide important insight in the development of childhood cancer and might contribute to novel treatment options.
PhD project
This project aims at elucidating the molecular functions and the biological effects of the novel germline mutations identified in the p53 and FA/BRCA pathway. The highly motivated candidate will be educated in a broad spectrum of techniques from molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology to molecular genetics to characterize the novel p53 & FA/BRCA pathway mutations The functional and mechanistic consequences of the identified mutations will be analyzed by using protein-protein interaction and interactome/mass spectrometry analysis, confocal microscopy, p53 target gene analysis (RNA Seq), FACS-based cell cycle/cell death assays, DNA repair assays and genomic instability analysis.
What we offer:
· Exciting, interdisciplinary projects in a fully international environment, with English as our working language
· Advanced training in scientific techniques and professional skills
· Access to our state-of-the-art Core Facilities and their technical expertise
· Fully funded positions with financing until the completion of your thesis.
· A lively community of more than 140 PhD students from 40 different countries
Requirements:
Are you an ambitious, young scientist looking to push the boundaries of science while interacting with colleagues from multiple disciplines and cultures? Then the IPP is your opportunity to give your scientific career a flying start!
We seek enthusiastic candidates with a special interest in the following topics:
· Ageing & Disease
· Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
· DNA Repair & Genome Stability
· Epigenetics & Nuclear Dynamics
· Gene Regulation & Evolution
· RNA Biology
Further requirements:
Master or equivalent
Interactive personality & good command of English
2 letters of reference
For more details on the projects offered and how to apply via our online form, please visit
The deadline for applications is 27 November 2020. Interviews will take place in Mainz on 25-27 January 2021 if the pandemic situation allows. Otherwise we will inform selected candidates in due time about an alternative online programme.
Starting date: 1 March 2021 – 1 September 2021