Jobbtitel: PhD student in odontological science

Arbetsbeskrivning:

Verksamhetsbeskrivning

The University of Gothenburg tackles society's challenges with diverse knowledge. 37 000 students and 6 000 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

Arbetsuppgifter

Reference number: UR 2016/392. Project title: Potentially malignant oral leukoplakia, human papilloma virus and cancer transformation. Job assignments: Oral cancer is a major public health problem worldwide and constitutes approximately 1 % of the malignant tumours found in the Swedish population. Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) represent over 95 % of all primary oral cancers. OSCC may occur as de novo tumours, but may be preceded by precursor lesions in the oral mucosa. Potentially malignant oral disorders (PMODs) are oral mucosal lesions with tissue alterations that predispose for malignant transformation and leukoplakia (LPL) belongs to this group of diseases. Early detection of precursor lesions or tumours is significantly correlated to survival. The cause of LPL is not fully understood but genetic alterations in keratinocytes in epithelium are involved. Initiation of LPLs may be due to exogenous factors e.g. tobacco but viral infections are also of importance. The association between cancer of cervix uteri and human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is well known. Although a casual association between LPL, oral cancer and (HPV) has been suggested in several reports, no conclusive evidence has been presented. The importance of the immune system in the development of tumours has been recognized during the last decades. Of special importance are dendritic cells (DCs). DCs are leukocytes involved in mounting early immune response. DCs are potent antigen presenting cells with a key role in evoking a T cell response. Importantly, in the connection between HPV and tumour development DCs are also prime scavengers of virus in mucosal linings. DCs that process and present viral antigens to T cells give rise to antiviral cytotoxic T cells and antiviral antibodies. The project will ask four specific scientific questions addressing influence of HPV-infection in potentially malignant oral LPL and transformation into OSCC. The first question is whether the incidence of HPV-infected LPL and corresponding OSSC has increased over the last decade? The second question is what subsets of HPV infect LPL? The third question is whether HPV-infection in the oral mucosa influence the number and phenotype of DCs in LPL? Finally, the fourth item raised is if HPV-infection alter the capacity of DCs in initiation of an immune response? Prospective and retrospective clinical, histopathological and molecular data will be used in this translational project. The research project will generate new knowledge in the interplay between LPL, HPV and the immune system.

Utbildning/Erfarenhet

Eligibility: To be admitted to third-cycle studies you must fulfill both the general and the specific entry requirements. The general entry requirements is fulfilled if you have: 1. completed a degree at a second-cycle level, or 2. completed at least 240 credits worth of studies of which at least 60 credits must be at a second-cycle level, or 3. acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad. The specific entry requirements is fulfilled if you have completed the English B/6 course or is considered to have acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies.

Timmar per vecka: .

Arbetsgivare Namn: Göteborgs universitet

Arbetsgivare adress: Box 100 40530 GÖTEBORG

Form av kontakt:
Bengt Hasséus, Institute of Odontology, Project leader, e-post: bengt.hasseus (at) odontologi.gu.se

Arbetsgivare telefonnummer: 031-7860000

Jobb kort beskrivning: University and higher education teachers

Land: Sweden

Område: Västra Götalands län

Avtalstid: Permanent

Typ av kontrakt: Full time

Källa till jobberbjudande: Public Employment Service of Sweden(AMS)

Hur man ansöker: Other - see free text