Master Thesis Molecular Biology of Mucinous Ovarian Cancer

Master Thesis: Molecular Biology of Mucinous Ovarian Cancer

Location: Ebene 5Q, AKH

Translational Gynecology Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna

Duration: 10 months, start as soon as possible

Payment: Geringfügige Anstellung (ca. 485 €/Monat)

Contact: Prof. Dan Cacsire Castillo-Tong

Email: dan.cacsire-castillo(at)meduniwien.ac.at

Telephone: +43-1-40400-78330

Website: https://frauenheilkunde.meduniwien.ac.at/forschung/forschungsprojekte-der-universitaetsklinik-fuer-frauenheilkunde/

http://www.octips.eu

Background:

Mucinous ovarian cancer (MOC) is a rare epithelial cancer and is not well investigated. Patients have poor prognosis because there is no specific treatment. There are very few experimental models to study the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease and to perform drug test.

Objectives:

• to establish patient-derived organoids from patient-derived cell lines and fresh tumor materials

• to study molecular mechanisms of MOC

• to define genes/pathways as new therapeutic targets

• to test available drugs (small molecules targeting KRAS pathways)

• to determine the possible mechanisms of the drug

Techniques:

Experimental techniques: cell/organoids culture; Sanger sequencing; RNA-sequencing; RT-qPCR; Western blotting, IHC, IF, apoptosis assay, viability/survival assays, senescence assays, analysis of RNA sequencing data …

Qualification:

Master student in molecular biology, biomedical science or in other relevant fields; good basic knowledge of molecular biology, strong analytic capacity and commitment, as well as interests in science; web-lab experiences in cancer research or related fields;

Application:

Please send examination records for Bachelor study and for Master study so far, a motivation letter, and CV to the email address above.

Selected relevant publications: (*correspondence)

• Koller S, Kendler J, Karacs J, Wolf A, Kreuzinger C, Von Der Decken I, Mungenast F, Mechtcheriakova D, Schreiner W, Gleiss A, Jäger W, Cacsire Castillo-Tong D*, Thalhammer T. SLCO4A1 expression is associated with activated inflammatory pathways in high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Front Pharmacol. 13:946348, 2022. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.946348.

• Kreuzinger C, Decken IV, Wolf A, Gamperl M, Koller J, Karacs J, Pfaffinger S, Bartl T, Reinthaller A, Grimm C, Singer CF, Braicu EI, Cunnea P, Gourley C, Smeets D, Boeckx B, Lambrechts D, Perco P, Horvat R, Berns EMJJ, Castillo-Tong DC*. Patient-derived cell line models revealed therapeutic targets and molecular mechanisms underlying disease progression of high grade serous ovarian cancer. Cancer Lett. 10;459:1-12, 2019. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.05.032.

• Kreuzinger C, Geroldinger A, Smeets D, Braicu EI, Sehouli J, Koller J, Wolf A, Darb-Esfahani S, Jöhrens K, Vergote I, Vanderstichele A, Boeckx B, Lambrechts D, Gabra H, Wisman GBA, Trillsch F, Heinze G, Horvat R, Polterauer S, Berns EMJJ, Theillet CG, Cacsire Castillo-Tong D*. A complex network of tumor microenvironment in human high grade serous ovarian cancer. Clin Cancer Res. 2017 Oct 2. pii: clincanres.1159.2017. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-17-1159.