Přehled
Doctoral (Ph.D.) Study in Xenobiochemistry and Pathobiochemistry
Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy, 2023 – 2027
Topic: Cardiotoxicity of Anticancer Drugs
The project fits into the field of cardio-oncology, which deals with the detection, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases that occur as a side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Anthracyclines (e.g. doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin) are important anticancer drugs, but their benefit is limited by the risk of toxic myocardial damage and the development of heart failure. In recent years, there has been a shift in the mechanistic view of anthracycline cardiotoxicity, and instead of the previously widely accepted direct oxidative damage to the myocardium, attention has focused on topoisomerase II, an enzyme that affects DNA topology.
The aim of the PhD project is to contribute to the understanding of the cardiac damage caused by anthracyclines. The molecular mechanisms of anthracycline cardiotoxicity will be studied with a focus on topoisomerase IIβ, DNA damage, hydroxy-metabolites of anthracyclines and the search for new potential cardioprotective drugs.
The project is highly interdisciplinary and includes approaches from biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology and toxicology. Our research is based on long-term and successful collaboration with other teams – pharmaceutical/medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical analysis as well as in vivo pharmacology.
Applications can be submitted (electronically) until the end of April 2023. Preliminary indication of interest is welcome until the end of March 2023.
Anticipated start date is October 2023; standard full-time study period is 4 years.
The basic doctoral stipend can be significantly increased with grant funding.
More information about the research group: Molecular and Cellular Toxicology Group | Faculty of Pharmacy – Research Portal (cuni.cz)
More information about the supervisor: Šimůnek Tomáš | Faculty of Pharmacy – Research Portal (cuni.cz)
More information about the PhD programme organization: Postgraduate (Doctoral) Studies | Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy (cuni.cz)
Contact: Prof. Tomáš Šimůnek, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Charles University Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, e-mail: simunekt@faf.cuni.cz ; phone: +420 495 067 422.
