Research Fellow (Dept of Pathology)

We are looking for highly motivated individuals to spearhead projects and establish new experimental approaches. Applicants should hold a PhD in life sciences/biomedical sciences, have a solid background in experimental research, particularly in molecular and cellular biology, and possess a strong interest in molecular medicine, mechanisms of tumorigenesis, and/or cancer target validation approaches.

Excellent communication and presentation skills and prior experience with manuscript writing and publishing in peer-reviewed journals will be advantageous.

Candidates passionate about life science research and in developing new cancer therapeutics to improve healthcare are welcomed to apply. The following thematic projects are available: 

1. Exploiting replication stress in cancer therapy 

One of the underlying hallmarks of cancers is genomic instability. The accumulation of genetic mutations and DNA metabolic errors in cancer cells is often associated with a gain of oncogenic mutations or loss of tumor suppressor genes. Historically, DNA damage is a broad term used to describe the genetic instability observed in cancer cells. In the recent years, it is becoming clear that not only can we identify specific DNA lesions and damage, but also proteins and pathways that directly prevent the occurrences and promote the repair of these DNA lesions. Therefore, by elucidating these molecular mechanisms in DNA damage response that are linked to either defects in tumor suppressors or oncogenes, it is possible to achieve precision targeting of cancer cells using specific inhibitors of DNA replication and repair. Impairment of DNA replication a dangerous source of endogenous DNA damage linked to tumorigenesis. One of the causes of DNA replication stress arises from collisions between replication and transcription which generates topological stress and R loops. The project will investigate mechanisms related to transcription and replication clashes and relate that to potential oncogenic effects promoting tumorigenesis.

2. Metabolic reprogramming and insights into new cancer treatments 

One of the developing concepts in cancer therapy is to target “synthetic lethal” pathways or tumor vulnerabilities in tumors. Recent evidence in mammalian cells suggests that such a concept may be feasible and can be exploited clinically.Significant advances have been made in understanding how cell-autonomous changes confer metabolic reprogramming and oncogenic addiction. It has become clear such metabolic reliance may confer cancer-selective vulnerabilities. We demonstrated that deficiency in tumor suppressor p53 rendered cells susceptible to metabolic inhibition, rendering support to the investigation of synthetic lethal metabolic pathways as therapeutic options for p53-deficiency and possibly a wider cohort of cancers. The project will investigate new drug analogs developed in the lab to target metabolic inhibition and expand to animal models for tumor studies.

Interested candidates may write to Dr. Cheok Chit Fang ([email protected]) for more information.

• PhD in any field of life sciences study
• Research experience 1-2 years
• As stated above in job specifications: techniques in general molecular biology, cell biology, imaging, and experience using software for manuscript preparation.

Location: Kent Ridge Campus

Organization: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

Department : Pathology

Employee Referral Eligible: No

Job requisition ID : 7633