Val Brunton

Research in a Nutshell 

Tumour cells metastasise via a series of discrete biological processes that allow cells to disseminate from the primary tumour, move and colonise distant sites within the body. Our research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms whereby tumour cells can metastasise and in particular how adhesion networks drive metastatic spread. More recently we have also become interested in how these same adhesion pathways regulate the tumour microenvironment.

We use a range of protein/peptide technologies, genetic intervention and high-definition biological analysis including mouse models of cancer and quantitative intra-vital imaging that permits visualisation of multiple cancer cell phenotypes in vivo. This provides information on the molecular regulators of cancer processes linked to invasion, metastasis and survival in the tumour environment and allows us to monitor drug efficacy and mechanism of action of new molecularly targeted agents to enable identification of more effective treatments.

Research Programme

OPEN POSITIONS: There are two postdoctoral positions available in the laboratory to work on development and application of novel multi-modal imaging and bioorthogonal tagging technologies to enhance preclinical evaluation of drugs and associated pharmacodynamic biomarkers in the field of oncology. The project is a collaboration with Dr Alison Hulme in the School of Chemistry. Application deadline 29 March 2019. To apply follow the links below:

https://www.vacancies.ed.ac.uk/pls/corehrrecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.jobspec?p_id=047122

https://www.vacancies.ed.ac.uk/pls/corehrrecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.jobspec?p_id=047129

Contact

v.brunton@ed.ac.uk

PA: Jan.Irvine@igmm.ed.ac.uk