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Hit optimization of novel anthelmintic compounds
Parasitic worms are responsible for many significant human, veterinary and plant diseases worldwide. For example, schistosomiasis, caused by infection with the blood fluke Schistosoma, is responsible for approximately 300,000 human deaths per annum as well chronic disease pathologies in up to 300 million individuals.
As no subunit vaccine for any parasitic worm (including schistosomes) is close to being developed, the frontline strategy for intervention is administration of therapeutic, anthelmintic drugs. Worryingly, and unsurprising due to co-evolutionary pressures, many worms are developing resistance to the limited compound classes currently being used. This has led to a renaissance in drug discovery initiatives across the globe.
Towards this end, our laboratory recently completed an anti-schistosomal screen of a natural products library derived from plants. This screen identified 10 selective anti-schistosomal hits within three chemical classes. We now want to further explore the chemistry of these anti-schistosomal compound classes and determine how chemical modifications increase hit potency. By studying structural activity relationships (SARS) of the hits and related compounds, the KESS student (supervised by a team comprised of chemists and biologists) will generate information instrumental in the development of urgently needed, next generation anthelmintics.
The prospective applicant should have a minimum of a 1st or good 2:1 in a relevant degree, and be available to take up the studentship by October 1, 2012. The project is part-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) through the European Union’s Convergence programme administered by the Welsh Government. KESS PhD scholarships are collaborative awards with external partners. (Applicants need only apply, they do not need to search for partners.)
To apply, please submit the following to the Postgraduate Admissions Office (address below) by June 1, 2012:
1. A completed Research Programme Application Form, two references. Application and reference forms may be downloaded from http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/postgrad/howtoapply/.
2. A completed KESS application form (put the reference number AU4001 in the top right hand box of the application form) and an up-to-date CV. KESS application forms are available to download at the link below.
www.aber.ac.uk/en/ccs/staff-students/funding/kess/
3. A PhD proposal of up to 1,000 words where you expand on your experience and interests and describe why you are a good candidate for this research studentship. Please refer to the Project Description.
Value of Award: A stipend of £9,000. Each scholarship has an additional budget for travel, equipment/consumables and training to support your research. KESS PhD Scholarship holders do not pay fees.
Length: Full-time for 1 year. (Theses must be submitted 3 months after the funded one year study period.)
Training: The achievement of a Postgraduate Skills Development Award (PSDA) is compulsory for each KESS scholar (The PSDA is based on a 30 credit award, which is an additional award to the MPhil).
Funding Notes:
Eligibility: To be eligible to apply for a KESS award, you must be resident, upon application, in the Convergence Area of Wales and you must be able to take paid employment in the Convergence area on completion of the scholarship.
The Convergence Area means the following counties of Wales:
Isle of Anglesey
Gwynedd
Conwy
Denbighshire
Ceredigion
Carmarthenshire
Pembrokeshire
Swansea
Neath Port Talbot
Bridgend
Rhondda Cynon Taff
Caerphilly
Torfaen
Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008 Results