Applications are invited for four year Postgraduate studentships, supported by the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership (MIBTP) (URL: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp/pgstudy/phd_opportunities/structural_biology/activation) and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) (URL: https://bbsrc.ukri.org/). Up to 6 studentships are available.
The studentships are available to start in October 2021.
Background to the Studentship
MIBTP scholars join a programme of skills training in year 1. Applicants are required to select an area of study (URL: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp/areas_of_research/), but may join the programme with or without selecting a preferred project. The skills training programme includes short rotation projects and students are able to choose a PhD project once they have experienced these differing research environments.
Potential PhD projects are provided to give applicants an idea of the breadth of research within MIBTP and specific research topics at Aston University. You can browse the other projects available here (URL: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/program/midlands-integrative-biosciences-training-partnership-mibtp-funded-phd-studentships/?i369p1045). Additional projects will become available during Year 1 and students can work with potential supervisors during their first year to develop a particular project.
Project Outline
CD81 is a member of the tetraspanin family of membrane proteins that have broad biological and medical importance. CD81 is involved in cell-cell adhesion, cell proliferation, the immune response, fertilization and infection by several important human pathogens including influenza, HIV, the malarial plasmodium parasite and hepatitis C virus (HCV). CD81 forms diverse, incompletely-understood associations with other proteins in cell membranes: the oligomeric status of CD81 within these complexes, the role of its interactions with specific lipids and the mechanistic detail of how CD81 exerts its biological function are not known.
The CD81 crystal structure identifies a cholesterol-binding pocket; cholesterol binding appears to modulate CD81 activity in cells and has been suggested as a potential mechanism for the regulation of tetraspanin function prompting a need to understand the role of the membrane lipid environment in CD81 folding and function.
We have initiated biophysical and molecular modelling studies of recombinant CD81 that has been extracted in either detergent or styrene maleic acid co-polymer. The latter enables us to understand the importance of the lipid context. Our antibody panel will enable us to identify the structural context of native CD81 oligomers, bridging the resolution gap between the structural and cell biology of CD81. Characterizing the structure of CD81 in this depth will establish a framework to address fundamental questions about tetraspanins in health and disease.
Person Specification
The successful applicant should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, a Masters degree in a relevant subject with a 60% or higher weighted average, and/or a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution) in a relevant subject. Full entry requirements for Aston University can be found on our website (URL: https://www.aston.ac.uk/study/courses/phd-life-and-health-sciences).
Full entry requirements for MIBTP can be found on their website (URL: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp/pgstudy/phd_opportunities/application/#Eligibility).
Contact information
For further information on the advertised project, contact Prof Roslyn Bill [Email Address Removed]
Submitting an application
Details of how to apply for the studentship can be found here (URL:https://jobs.aston.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=R210129).
If you require further information about the application process contact the Postgraduate Admissions team [Email Address Removed]
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