Targeted Protein Degradation Using Small Molecules (2019)

A Ph.D. studentship (48 months) is available from October 2019 under the joint supervision of Profs John Spencer and Georgios Giamas, Chemistry and Biochemistry Departments, School of Life Sciences. The project will look to produce PROTACs (proteolysis targeting chimeras) to selectively target LMTK3 and destroy it via the proteasome. Further studies will explore novel modalities of inducing protein degradation.

What you get

The studentship covers:

  • Home/EU tuition fees
  • Stipend of £14,777 per annum (tax-free)
  • Research costs

Type of award

Postgraduate Research

PhD project

Recent work from the Giamas group has concentrated on the discovery and mechanism of action of Lemur Tyrosine Kinase 3 (LMTK3). The latter is implicated in resistance to endocrine cancer therapies including tamoxifen, by phosphorylation of the ERa protein (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/lifesci/giamaslab/). A recent, unpublished, collaboration with the Spencer group (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/lifesci/spencerlab/) has led to the discovery of selective, nM potent LMTK3 inhibitors. This iCASE project, funded by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and EPSRC, and involving a 3-month placement at GSK, Stevenage, will be based at Sussex and will look to produce PROTACs (proteolysis targeting chimeras) to selectively target LMTK3 and destroy it via the proteasome. Further studies will explore novel modalities of inducing protein degradation.

Eligibility

This is open to UK or EU nationals who have been resident in the UK for the 3 years prior to taking up the scholarship.

Ideal candidates will have a strong background in synthetic organic/medicinal chemistry with additional experience of cellular and structural biology. Eligible applicants will have recently received an MSc and/or a First or high 2:1 BSc in a relevant subject. Candidates for whom English is not their first language will require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with not less than 6.0 in any section.

 

 

Number of scholarships available

1

Deadline

4 February 2019 23:45

How to apply

Please submit a formal application using our online application system at http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply, including a CV, degree transcripts and certificates, statement of interest and names of two academic referees.

On the application system, use Programme of Study – PhD Biochemistry.

Please make sure you include the project title and Supervisor’s name with your statement of interest on the application form.

 

Contact us

Contact Anna Izykowska for application enquiries (a.izykowska@sussex.ac.uk) and j.spencer@sussex.ac.uk; G.Giamas@sussex.ac.uk for enquiries about the project.

Timetable

Deadline: 4 February 2019

Project Start Date: October 2019

Availability

At level(s):
PG (research)

Application deadline:
4 February 2019 23:45 (GMT)
the deadline has now expired

Countries

The award is available to people from these specific countries: