Development of novel Purine-based analgesics

PhD in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research

Fully funded studentship available for entry in September 2019

This Industrial Collaborative Award in Science and Engineering (iCASE) studentship is offered by Warwick’s MRC Funded Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP). This training program involves an exciting one-year MSc in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research and then a three-year PhD project which is co-supervised by experts from both academia and industry. The student will benefit from a comprehensive training program that offers advanced workshops, career planning, transferable skills training and cohort learning events and conferences with ~ 50 other PhD students.

Title: Development of novel Purine-based analgesics

University of Warwick and Industry Supervisors: Prof. Bruno Frenguelli and Dr Mark Wall (University of Warwick) and Prof. Dave Spanswick (NeuroSolutions Ltd)


Project summary

Pain is a common condition that can be extremely debilitating for chronic sufferers. While a wide range of analgesics (compounds that provide pain relief) are available, not all analgesics are suitable for all types of pain and opioid analgesics can cause dependence. New analgesics are therefore needed. Adenosine is a neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral nervous systems that has analgesic properties. In collaboration with leading pain specialists at Neurosolutions Ltd and colleagues at the Universities of Bern (Switzerland) and Cambridge (UK) this project will explore novel compounds targeting adenosine receptors for their potential as new classes of analgesics.

Applicants should have a first or a 2:1 honours degree or an MSc in neuroscience or a related discipline, ideally with practical research experience.

Warwick’s MRC DTP Overview

MSc Course (Year One)
A one-year taught MSc in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research, including taught modules (e.g. frontier techniques and research skills in biomedicine, principles and techniques in molecular biology, advanced microscopy and imaging, molecular modelling and physical biology of the cell) and two 11-week research projects.

PhD Project (Years Two – Four)
A three-year PhD project. Students will be supervised jointly by a Warwick Principal Investigator and an industry partner, and will undertake a minimum of three months’ placement with the industry partner.

If you are interested in joining our dynamic DTP community please apply at www.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/study/mrcdtp/theprogramme/icase/ by Thursday 14 February 2019.

Interviews will take place on Monday 8 April 2019.