Job overview
UCLH Charities are funding the start-up of a pioneering ageing research centre within the Department of Ageing, Rheumatology and Regenerative Medicine, Division of Medicine, UCL. Dr Priya Subramanian, Consultant Dermatologist and Principal Investigator, leads the arm of human basic science research bridging dermatology, cancer biology and ageing, with a focus on how loss of p16, a key regulator of senescence, drives both tumour initiation and immune dysfunction
Main duties of the job
The postholder will work alongside Dr Subramanian to deliver research aims and objectives detailed in a recently awarded British Skin Foundation (BSF) grant. This project aims to both understand disease-specific impacts of mutated p16, and mechanistically understand the impact of p16 on human senescence, with relevance to the fields of cancer biology, senescence and ageing research. We will characterise immune and senescence-associated changes in CDKN2A-mutated human melanocytes and T cells using a unique, well-phenotyped biobank of skin and blood samples. We will apply multiplexed histology, high-parameter flow cytometry and in vitro co-culture models to: 1) define senescence and immune escape phenotypes of CDKN2A-mutated melanocytes under physiological and induced stress conditions; 2) identify alterations in circulating T cells that compromise melanoma immunosurveillance; and 3) test the cytotoxic capacity of autologous T cells against CDKN2A-mutated human melanocytes in vitro.
The post is for 18 months
Working for our organisation
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
1. University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
2. National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
3. Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
4. University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
5. Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
6. University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
7. The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
8. University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women’s health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.