Australia-Montgomery Foundation PhD Scholarships 2008

Monash University, Australia.

A Montgomery Foundation PhD scholarships are available for a talented and highly motivated PhD scholars in the Uterine Biology Laboratory of Prince Henry’s Institute. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Senior Research Fellow Dr Guiying Nie and Professor Lois Salamonsen on a project examining the role of a newly identified gene in the interface between aging and cancer.

It is increasingly recognized that cancer occurs predominantly in older persons. More than 60% of new cancers and more than 70% of cancer deaths occur in people over the age of 65 years. Although it is well accepted that aging and cancer are intertwined, our knowledge about the relationship between aging and cancer at the biological levels is very limited; studies that address this knowledge gap are urgently needed.

We have recently cloned a new gene which we first identified in the placenta. Mice in whom this gene has been deleted spontaneously develop a number of cancers as they age. These mice thus provide a unique animal model and an exciting opportunity to address the biological interrelationship between aging and cancer. This project will identify the biological reasons why older mice lacking this new gene are prone to develop cancer, and determine the roles of this gene in cancer development and progression with aging in the human population.

The scholarship provides a stipend of $25,000 per year for 3 years. Applicants must be Australian or New Zealand Citizens or Permanent Residents.

Closing Date: 22nd February 2008

Enquiries:
Dr Guiying Nie
tel. 03 9594 4380
email: guiying.nie@princehenrys.org