About the Project
Cell signalling is critical to multicellular organisms and underlies physiology and diseases. Understanding of the ways cells sense and respond to hormones and growth factors is a constantly-evolving field. Mammals use just over 700 G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) to perceive endocrine and paracrine signals, but the mechanisms of receptor responses are complex. A family of accessory proteins (receptor activity modifying proteins or RAMPs) was discovered 20 years ago and until recently were thought to be involved in modifying signalling in a small number of receptors. However it is now becoming clear that RAMPs regulate receptor trafficking, ligand selectivity and signalling in a much larger number of GPCRs. This project is to determine the role of the RAMPs in altering signalling responses in association with novel GPCR partners. The work will involve a wide range of techniques from molecular and cell biology including determination of expression of RNA and protein for GPCRs and RAMPs, cellular localisation by FRET/BRET and functional studies of signalling activation. In collaboration with Sheffield’s crystallographers, we hope to determine structures of novel GPCR/RAMP partners and to test a library of antagonist and agonist chemical fragments and compounds on signalling.
This project will provide a training in a range of transferrable skills in a in a well-funded and enthusiastic group of academics, postdocs and students with a wide experience in successful supervision of PhD studies.
Funding Notes
Funding:
This is available as a self-funded project. In addition to fees and student living expenses, the work requires bench fee support of £12,000 p.a.
Entry Requirements:
Candidates must have a first or upper second class honors degree or significant research experience.
References
Enquiries:
Professor Tim Skerry or Dr Gareth Richards (t.skerry@sheffield.ac.uk or g.richards@sheffield.ac.uk)
How to apply:
Please complete a University Postgraduate Research Application form available here: www.shef.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply
Please clearly state the prospective main supervisor in the respective box and select 'Oncology & Metabolism' as the department.