Chris Shepherd
Start date: April 2008
Division: Molecular Pathology
Supervisor: Dr Janet Shipley
Chris’ interest in scientific research was sparked while undertaking a lab-based project in the final year of a BSc in Molecular Cell Biology at York University. "I was studying a gene involved in the development of Xenopus laevis – the South African frog. I found lab work to be fun and enjoyed the thrill of generating results that were totally novel," he revealed.
After graduating Chris honed his skills in the research departments of Imperial College before moving to the ICR as a scientific officer: "Like many people, I have had family members and friends affected by cancer so I felt it prudent to apply my enthusiasm for scientific research to this cause."
The basis Chris’ PhD are MicroRNAs: "They’re a new class of small RNAs, 18-33 nucleotides long, that have been shown to regulate the expression of genes at both the transcriptional and translational level," he explains. MicroRNAs are able to do this by binding to the 3'UTR of messenger RNA transcripts. "Originally they were identified as having a role in the development of the nematode worm and the shape of leaves." Chris adds. "My project aims to study microRNAs that are dysregulated in Rhabdomyosarcoma, which is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas affecting children in the UK."
There are only 70 cases of Rhabdomyosarcoma in the UK every year and the 5-year survival rate is relatively good – approximately 70%. However, children who present with advanced metastatic forms have a significantly poorer prognosis. So how will Chris’ work impact this area? "There is an urgent need for therapies which have fewer long-term side effects and which target the specific molecular abnormalities. MicroRNA-based therapeutics have demonstrated efficacy in many cancer cell line models, but few groups have studied microRNAs in rhabdomyosarcoma. My project could potentially have a big impact scientifically and therapeutically," he says.
Chris believes that students at the ICR's Sutton site have access to a good range of facilities. "Whether you enjoy swimming, squash, table tennis or a work out at the gym, we've got it all. Sometimes, if an experiment has not worked I pop to the gym to get it out my system. The students regularly get together in the evenings and organise some great social events. The ICR's Sutton site also has the Mini-Olympics which start in June every year and culminate in a staff BBQ and Tug-O-War in July!"
