The Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Molecular Gynecology Lab, Wegwitz-Group (Transcriptional Plasticity in Cancers) is seeking a motivated student with a strong background in biology or a related field for a Master thesis project focused on the study of BPTF in Endometrial Cancer (EC). For more information or application please contact Dr. Florian Wegwitz (fwegwit@gwdg.de, florian.wegwitz@med.uni-goettingen.de)
Endometrial cancer is the most commonly diagnosed gynecological cancer in Western countries, with over 12,000 new cases diagnosed annually in Germany alone. Despite advancements in treatment, a significant number of patients present with aggressive, high-grade variants that have poor prognoses. Our research aims to understand the epigenetic factors contributing to the aggressiveness of EC, with a particular focus on BPTF.
BPTF is a key component of the ATP-dependent Nucleosome Remodeling Factor (NURF) complex and plays a crucial role in maintaining open, accessible chromatin states at active promoter and enhancer regions. Previous studies have linked BPTF to tumor-supporting properties in various cancers, including lymphomas, neuroblastomas, lung, and hepatocellular carcinomas. However, its role in EC remains largely unexplored.
The advertised Master thesis project is part of a cooperation with the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the University of Medicine Hannover. The project will involve investigating the impact of BPTF modulation on the aggressiveness of EC cell lines. Specifically, we will establish stable BPTF overexpression clones using the Sleeping Beauty technology. We will then analyze phenotypic changes in EC cell lines through various functional assays, including tumorsphere formation, colony formation, proliferation, apoptosis resistance, migration, and invasion properties. Additionally, we will examine genome-wide expression changes and chromatin dynamics using high-throughput sequencing techniques.
This project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in the field of gynecological oncology and to gain hands-on experience with advanced molecular biology techniques. Interested candidates should have a strong background in biology or a related field and be enthusiastic about laboratory work.