Assessing the role of structural variation on the blood proteome and cancer risk

background

Cancer is a complex disease that is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There is growing interest in the role of structural variation in cancer risk and the circulating proteome. Structural variation (mutations, deletions, and insertions) can alter the structure and function of proteins and/or their regulation, which may lead to cancer.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE, RESEARCH METHODS AND TRAINING

The selected individual will develop their computational skills working towards becoming competent in doing bioinformatic tasks. This includes skills in Python/R and in bash using high performance computing. This project will allow the individual to advance our biological understanding of how this type of variation can impact blood protein abundance. This includes processing data from array technology, Olink and Somalogic data and sequencing. Lastly, this project will use identified structural variants to assess the potential aetiological role of proteins in cancer risk. By the end of this DPhil, the individual will be a competent genomic epidemiologist.

FIELD WORK, SECONDMENTS, INDUSTRY PLACEMENTS AND TRAINING

Individuals will receive computational training and will be expected to present results at national/international conferences and meetings.