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A postgraduate research opportunity at the University of Otago.

Details

Close date
No date set
Academic background
Health Sciences
Host campus
Dunedin
Qualification
Master's, Honours
Department
Pathology (Dunedin)
Supervisor
Professor Merilyn Hibma

Overview

This project involves human papillomavirus (HPV) and the microparticles that are shed from cells expressing HPV oncoproteins. We are particularly interested in the composition of the microparticles, and how the composition influences antigen presentation. The project would focus on the hypothesis that HPV microparticles from HPV cancer cells suppress immunity by regulating activation of antigen presenting cells.

Firstly, the project involves further analysis of proteomics data that we have already generated using microparticles from HPV oncoprotein expressing (CaSki, SiHa, HaCaT E7) and control cells (C33A, HaCaT), in order to identify particular proteins of interest that are over represented in the microparticles. Secondly, antibodies to maximally differentially expressed proteins of interest will be purchased, and the expression of these proteins in the microparticles will be determined by western blot. Thirdly, microparticles would be co-cultured with human monocyte derived antigen-presenting cells, and the effects on activation would be determined.

Contact

Merilyn Hibma
Emailmerilyn.hibma@otago.ac.nz

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