Two candidates working on the same project? - (Nov/22/2011 )

Is it possible for two PhD candidates to work on the same project in the same lab? But maybe different signalling pathways/mechanisms? Or is it a case of supervisor/lab head knows best and students just stick with what the boss tells you to do?

Why not, if they use different approaches, methods, or have different aims or a more or less different topic.

Indeed: why not?
It has happened before...
About the student sticking with what the boss says.. eum not sure what you mean..?
In most cases the researchtopic is allready fixed/choosen...

there are projects involving 5 or 6 PhD students at a time who are all working on different aspects of one question. Mainly depends on funding success of the PI......