PhD Scholarship in Epigenetics in immunosenescence: implications to cancer and infections

This project will systematically map epigenetic changes that promote age-related immune dysfunction, in the context of human vaccination trials, as well as cancer human clinical trials. Using cancer and vaccine clinical trials, the project will use RNAseq, epigenetics and flowcytometry, as well as classic immunological techniques. The project is designed to understand cellular and molecular epigenetic mechanisms involved in both innate and adaptive immunosenescence that cause the decline of immune function. Specifically, this study will uncover age-dependent alterations in epigenetic marks that cause increased incidence of cancer and infections as a consequence of aging, utilizing in vitro models, animal models and human clinical trials available in the lab. The laboratory uses world-class big-data omics analysis of immune cells, including RNAseq, genome-wide epigenetics, multicolour flowcytometry, cell sorting, multiplex cytokine analysis, as well as classical immunological techniques.