[BBC] Postdoctoral bioinformatican, Amsterdam, NL

[Lodewyk Wessels]

POSTDOCTORAL BIOINFORMATICIAN

INTEGRATIVE, PATHWAY-BASED MODELS FOR RESPONSE PREDICTION IN COLORECTAL 
CANCER

The development of novel anti-cancer agents that target growth signaling 
pathways presents many challenges, the most demanding being to identify 
which tumours are dependent on a given pathway and thus the patient group 
most likely to respond to therapy.  Current approaches rely on measuring 
individual markers that act as surrogates for pathway status, but give 
little information on activation state or cellular addiction.

This project will develop in silico techniques to integrate and analyse 
genetics, genomics and protein level data with a focus on the PI3K and MAPK 
signaling networks.  A unique data set has been specifically assembled for 
this project consisting of
- whole genome transcript data (Affymetrix HG_U133 Plus 2),
- whole genome high resolution copy number data (Agilent Human 244K),
- selected protein expression data using a reverse-phase array platform, 
plus
- mutation status of genes frequently modified in colorectal cancer.
This comprehensive molecular characterisation has been completed on 58 
colorectal cell lines and 64 primary colorectal tumors.  In addition, the 
pharmacological sensitivity of the colorectal cell lines to a range of 
targeted drugs is know.

Specific objectives for this project include
- Model pathway status in colorectal tumours and cell lines through 
integrative analysis of the molecular data
- Intersect tumour and cell line models to assess how accurately cell lines 
recapitulate human disease at the pathway level
- Stratify colorectal tumours and cell lines on the basis of predicted 
pathway activation

The results from this project will not only increase knowledge of colorectal 
cancer and molecular stratification techniques, but provide valuable 
information on the utility of cell line models for generating pre-clinical 
hypotheses for personalised medicine.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
We seek an individual with knowledge of both informatics and biology, with 
particular interest in translating complex data into testable hypotheses. 
Candidates should fulfill the following criteria:
- PhD (or equivalent) in one of the following areas: bioinformatics, 
engineering, computer science, statistics or physics.
- Knowledge of biology, particularly signaling pathways.

LOCATION
The position is primarily embedded within the Bioinformatics and Statistics 
group led by Dr Lodewyk Wessels (http://bioinformatics.nki.nl) at the 
Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam. The candidate will also spend time 
in the AstraZeneca Oncology Informatics group, Alderley Park, UK led by Dr 
Tim French.

CONTACT DETAILS
Please contact Dr. Lodewyk Wessels, tel. +31 20 512 7987 or e-mail: 
l.wessels at nki.nl or Dr Tim French, Oncology Informatics, Discovery Medicine, 
tel. +44 1625-519922 or e-mail: Tim.French at astrazeneca.com. When applying 
please ensure you include a CV, list of publications and the names and 
addresses of at least two persons that can be approached to obtain further 
information.
http://bioinformatics.nki.nl

CLOSING DATE
15 September 2009