The Newton laboratory is currently seeking a graduate student to pursue Masters-PhD Studentship Medicine 2010 a research-based programme of study leading to either a Masters or PhD degree.
The laboratory is situated in new state-of-the-art building (HRIC) on the Foothills Hospital Campus at the University of Calgary (Alberta, Canada). As a part of the Airway Inflammation Research Group (AIRG), we share laboratory space with Drs Mark Giembycz and Matthias Amrein.
The combined laboratory consists of multiple post-doctoral workers, graduate students (MSc/PhD), often undergraduates as well as technical staff. We occupy laboratory space that is contiguous with that of Dr Richard Leigh, Dr David Proud and collaborate extensively with other members of the AIRG. Our primary research interests are to improve the understanding of existing treatments for common diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiolitis, a condition that primarily affects children under 2 years of age. The group is well funded via federal, provincial and international organisations, including many major companies from the pharmaceutical sector – work within the group is translational and blends clinical expertise with basic science.
Project: Understanding the mechanisms of glucocorticoid action.
Glucocorticoids are the most effective anti-inflammatory drugs used in the context of the diseases such as asthma. However our understanding as to the molecular mechanisms of action is still incomplete. This hinders the ability to design better anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids or to improve upon existing glucocorticoid therapies. In our laboratory, we are using a battery of molecular, pharmacological and, more recently, in vivo techniques to understand the expression and function of genes whose activity is regulated by glucocorticoids. The current project will involve real-time PCR of glucocorticoid-regulated genes, siRNA knock-down, gene over-expression and cell culture. Experience in molecular skills such as PCR, cloning, adenoviral vectors etc would be an advantage. Please see AIRG webpages for further details and publications: http://www.ucalgary.ca/airwayinflammation/
We are seeking a highly motivated and academically successful individual to join our team. The right candidate will receive the basic student stipend of ~$20k plus full cover for course fees. In return, the successful candidate will be expected to complete to a high level all the necessary courses required by the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences Programme (CVRS) as well as publish their research finding. An ideal candidate will be competitive in respect of local, provincial and national scholarships. Such applications are strongly supported and if successful would enable an enhanced level of student support