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Why do cancers cells re-express meiotic SYCP1 protein?

Funding
Self-funded
Study mode
Full-time
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Start date
Year round
Subject area
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
How to apply
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Overview

This interdisciplinary project will involve a unique breadth of training with complementary approaches utilising our world-class facilities including cell biology, proteomics, genetics and imaging.

About this opportunity

The aim of meiosis is to generate gametes by recombining the chromosomes and reducing the genome from diploid to haploid. However, in mitosis haploid genome and recombination have catastrophic, oncogenic outcomes. Consequently, the process of somatic cell division requires the accurate and specific silencing of meiotic genes when cells transition to mitosis. Interestingly, failure of this silencing occurs in approximately 15% of human cancer patients who re-express the meiotic SYCP1 protein. We find that SYCP1 re-expression is induced by common chemotherapy treatments causing DNA damage induction. The process of meiotic recombination involves similar mechanisms to DNA double strand break repair (DSBR) and due to this similarity SYCP1 re-activation in cancer cells may contribute to genome instability. In this project you will investigation potential mechanisms driving SYCP1 re-expression in cancer. You will investigate the biology of SYCP1 re-expression in cancer, the effect it has on cellular physiology and response to chemotherapeutics.

This interdisciplinary project will involve a unique breadth of training with complementary approaches utilising our world-class facilities including cell biology, proteomics (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/pfg/), genetics (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/genomic-research/) and imaging (https://cci.liv.ac.uk/). During this interdisciplinary project you will develop a unique combination of skills in pathology, cell biology, big data, proteomics, genetic and imaging techniques. A broad range of inter-disciplinary approaches (CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing and DNA pull-downs followed by mass spectroscopy) will help you develop diverse technical expertise. Furthermore, this multi-disciplinary training will give you a broad range of skills allowing a wide choice of career options, both within and outside of academia. Our group is committed to supporting the development of early career researchers.

Successful candidates will not only join a vibrant department but will also be supported in attending national and international conferences as well as undertaking training to further develop and pursue their own career development. Our laboratory https://www.mcclurglab.com/  is a collegial, supportive environment that champions talent, diversity and equity.

Who is this opportunity for?

The project is suited to a student with a minimum 2:1 master’s degree in Biological or Life Sciences. The project is open to self-funded UK and international students.

Further reading

  • Cancer and meiotic gene expression: Two sides of the same coin?
    Sou, I. F., Hamer, G., Tee, W. -W., Vader, G., & McClurg, U. L. (2023). Current Topics in Developmental Biology (Vol. 151, pp. 43-68). doi:10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.06.002
  • Meiosis initiation: a story of two sexes in all creatures great and small
    Sou, I. F., Pryce, R. M., Tee, W. -W., & McClurg, U. L. (2021). BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL, 478(20), 3791-3805. doi:10.1042/BCJ20210412
  • Centrosome dysfunction associated with somatic expression of the synaptonemal complex protein TEX12
    Sandhu, S., Sou, I. F., Hunter, J. E., Salmon, L., Wilson, C. L., Perkins, N. D., . . . McClurg, U. L. (2021). COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY, 4(1). doi:10.1038/s42003-021-02887-4.
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How to apply

  1. 1. Contact supervisors

    Applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Urszula McClurg directly to discuss their application and the project in the first instance: urszula.mcclurg@liverpool.ac.uk.

  2. 2. Prepare your application documents

    You may need the following documents to complete your online application:

    • A research proposal (this should cover the research you’d like to undertake)
    • University transcripts and degree certificates to date
    • Passport details (international applicants only)
    • English language certificates (international applicants only)
    • A personal statement
    • A curriculum vitae (CV)
    • Contact details for two proposed supervisors
    • Names and contact details of two referees.

  3. 3. Apply

    Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.

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Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)

Full-time place, per year - £5,006

International fees

Full-time place, per year - £31,250

Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this project.

Funding your PhD

This project is self-funded. Assistance will be given to those who are applying to international funding schemes. The successful applicant will be expected to provide the funding for tuition fees and living expenses as well as research costs of £ 5,000 per year. New self-funded applicants may be eligible for a tuition fees bursary (UK applicants only) or a £2,000 ISMIB Travel and Training Support Grant.

If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.

There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.

My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.

Duncan Norman Research Scholarship

If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £17,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.

John Lennon Memorial Scholarship

If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for financial support worth up to £12,000 per year for up to three years of full-time postgraduate research (or up to five years part-time pro-rata).

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

Discover our full range of scholarships and bursaries.
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Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Dr Urszula McClurg
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