Immune regulation in the local microenvironment of the skin in human papillomavirus infection, and cervical pre-cancer and cancer

Overview

We are offering student projects to study the local microenvironment in human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, cervical pre-cancer and cancer.

Around 90 per cent of cases of cervical cancer are caused by an infection with one or more of the high-risk, cancer-causing HPV types that include HPV16 and 18.

Many infections with these HPV types undergo immune-mediated regression, despite the immune evasion mechanisms that HPV has harnessed to evade host detection. We are only beginning to understand the events that occur locally that support viral persistence and disease progression or that mediate disease regression.

Student projects to investigate HPV, HPV neoplasia and cervical cancer may utilise datasets, in vitro culture systems, mouse models or patient samples. We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated biomedical students with a background in cell biology, virology or cancer.

Applicants must meet the admission requirements for the course. Note that a GPA of 8 or higher is required to guarantee a PhD scholarship from the University of Otago.

Useful information

• Graduate research at the University of Otago
• Scholarships at the University of Otago