Developing gene therapy for Best Disease

Applications are invited from UK or EU students for a full-time D.Phil. (Ph.D.) student to work in the Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, University of Oxford on a project entitled: Developing gene therapy for Best Disease, a retinal degeneration that leads to blindness. Applicants should have completed a degree in a relevant subject in biological sciences by October 2013 with a minimum equivalent of 2:1.
This project is funded for 3 years by Fight for Sight, from October 2013, and includes a stipend with college and university fees paid by funds from the grant. The project will be supervised by Professor Robert MacLaren. Gene therapy holds great promise for patients with currently incurable forms of inherited retinal disease and Oxford is currently leading a multicentre gene therapy clinical trial that includes Moorfields, Southampton and Manchester Eye Hospitals.
The project will involve the use of molecular biology techniques to clone the BEST1 gene into an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector and to determine the optimal promoter sequence. Functional testing of the BEST1 protein will be in collaboration with Dr Forbes Manson at the University of Manchester and the student will be expected to travel to Manchester as required during the project.


All candidates must apply through the formal University admissions process: http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate_courses/index.html

Please note you do not need to submit a research proposal during this process. A statement of commitment will be satisfactory.

Please quote this code number for studentship competition in your on-line application: 1314ACYR1M/NDCN01

For informal enquiries about the studentship, please contact:; [Email Address Removed]
The closing date for applications is 5.00pm, Friday 28th June 2013