Understanding a novel type of cellular glycosylation in mammalian cells

I am currently establishing a new research group at the University of St Andrews. My interests lie in the structure and function of carbohydrate processing enzymes using a combination of molecular biology, structural biology and cell biology.

This project would involve investigation of an unusual type of glycosylation found in mammalian cells to aid efforts to understand the role the modification makes to proteins and its effect in health and disease. Efforts would be made to identify the enzyme responsible for the modification and to investigate this enzyme further structurally using X-ray crystallography. In addition, it will be important to identify cellular proteins that are modified using specific antibodies, and to assess the impact on function if the glycosylation is impaired. This will be a highly multi-disciplinary project which will include cell biology, enzyme assays, biochemistry, molecular biology, and structural biology.

Students interested in undertaking a PhD in this research area should register their interest as soon as possible. Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Tracey Gloster ([Email Address Removed]).

Potential applicants are welcome to arrange to visit St Andrews at any time, although there will be a chemistry postgraduate open day in St Andrews on the afternoon of Friday the 1st of February 2013.

Please see:http://ch-www.st-andrews.ac.uk/PGadmissions.html for the application procedure or e-mail [Email Address Removed] for more information.