cell biology | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans - Part 3

Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Cell Biology, UK

The ability to migrate is an essential feature of most animal cells. During development, motion of cells is required for morphogenesis (e.g. gastrulation, organogenesis). In adult animals, cell motilityplays an important role in normal physiology (e.g. to combat infection) and disease (e.g. cancer metastasis). Although cell motility has been intensely studied, the overwhelming majority of the research effort has so far focused on just one mechanism of locomotion, prevalent when cells are cultured on glass substrates: lamellipodial-based migration. However, when migrating in 3D environments, cells can utilise other modes of motility in addition to lamellipodial motility. An increasing number of studies point to the importance of blebbing motility which is based on the formation of blebs at the leading edge. Blebs are quasi-spherical membrane protrusions that grow and disappear in minutes. They are initially devoid of F-actin but after bleb growth stops, an actin-rich cortex regrows under the membrane. Blebbing motility is essential for some embryonic cells during development. White blood cells can migrate using bleb-like protrusions when placed in 3D matrices. Some metastatic cancer cells can use blebbing motility to escape anti-tumour treatments, which block lamellipodial motility by targeting protease activity. Other tumour cells use blebs to cross the endothelium to invade tissues.

For blebbing to be translated into movement, cells need to exert forces on the extracellular environment and translocate their mass. During lamellipodial motility, cell-body translocation is achieved by contraction of the cell rear coupled to adhesion of the lamellipodium
to the substrate and forward protrusion.. In contrast, hardly anything is known about the sequence of events leading to motion in blebbing motility. Whether or not blebs actually adhere to the substrate is unknown. However, since blebbing motility is much more efficient when
cells are sandwiched between two surfaces, this suggests that pushing forces against the substrate, in addition to pulling on adhesions, could be involved. Little is known about F-actin cortex dynamics and its regulation during blebbing motility.

In summary, our understanding of blebbing motility lags far behindthat of lamellipodial motility. This proposal aims to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying bleb-based migration, an important yet understudied mode of cellular motility. Using a cell line that uses bleb to locomote (Walker carcinosarcoma cells), we will focus on two main objectives:
1) Understanding cell body translocation during blebbing motility in confined environments
2) Investigating the molecular mechanisms of movement in blebbing motility

Candidates should have a strong academic record: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Molecular Cell Biology with a first or an upper class second. This project involves a significant experimental component and previous experimental research experience is desirable. Research
experience in cell culture, molecular biology, and fluorescence microscopy is a plus. The stipend is of the order of £15k per year and
tuition fees will be covered. Funding is available to UK and EEA candidates. Interviews will occur on a rolling basis until the
position is filled.

Suitably qualified candidates interested in performing cutting edge research in a multidisciplinary scientific environment in order to understand blebbing motility should send their CV to Dr Guillaume Charras (g.charras-at-ucl.ac.uk,

Scholarship Application Deadline:Contact Employer

Further Scholarship Information and Application

PhD Studentships in the Cell Biology of Cancer, Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, UK

We are currently re-advertising three of our PhD Studentships (project supervisors: Owen Sansom,  Robert White and Sara Zanivan) Details of each project can be found below. If you have not previously applied and would like to do so, please complete the PhD Application Form. Remember to rename the document with your last name and initials only. We do not accept paper applications, CVs, university transcripts or letters of reference. We will contact your referees separately via email so remember to include their email addresses on your application form. Interviews are likely to be held in March. Students will be selected for interview based on their academic qualifications, research/lab experience and letters of reference. Each candidate will be asked to give a brief 10-minute talk about a research project they have been involved with. This will be followed by one-to-one meetings with selected group leaders as well as lunch with some of our current students. Only reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed by the Institute.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 28 Feb 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application

Carnegie Corporation Research Scholarships for Doctoral Students, South Africa: Molecular and Cell Biology

The scholarships are funded by the Carnegie Corporation and form part of a grant established to recruit and support Doctoral students who have an intention to remain in academia. The intention is to develop a cohort of trainee academics and thereby contribute to growing the next generation of academics and to strengthen higher education in Africa.

Applications are invited from candidates who are suitably qualified and who are registered in the 1S‘, 2″”, 3” or 4“‘ year of Doctoral study, or who intend to register for full-time study at the University of Cape Town for the Doctoral degree in Department of l\/lolecular and Cell Biology, on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of human infectious diseases.
Preference will be given to B/ack Africans and previously disadvantaged South Africans. Conditions of Award and Eligibility: Successful candidates may undertake part-time employment that is related to the research being undertaken. Such employment may only be undertaken with the permission of the Supervisor and Project Director and must be limited to no more than 15 hours per week.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 9 February 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application