Overview
Overview
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is now the most common cause of chronic liver disease, which is the third most frequent cause of premature death. We hypothesise that the raised blood and liver triglycerides could be caused by high hepatic glucose disposal resulting from dietary carbohydrate excess and elevated glucokinase activity. This project will seek to develop chemical tools able to modulate glucokinase enzyme and establish glucokinase inhibition as a therapeutic target in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The student will synthesise proteolysis targeting chimeric molecules (PROTACs) of glucokinase to test the hypothesis that the enzyme can be targeted for degradation. The student will also develop small molecules that inhibit liver glucose phosphorylation by promoting increased binding of glucokinase to its regulatory protein.
The studentship will provide a wealth of experience in medicinal chemistry design and organic synthesis along with the opportunity to interact with scientists at AstraZeneca. This would be ideal training for someone wishing to pursue a career in medicinal chemistry or chemical biology.
Number Of Awards
1
Start Date
September 2022
Award Duration
4 years
Sponsor
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and AstraZeneca
Supervisors
Celine Cano
Eligibility Criteria
The award is available to UK/EU applicants only. Depending on how you meet the EPSRC’s eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to a full or a partial award.
A Master’s level degree in chemistry is required.
How To Apply
You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system. To do this please ‘Create a new account’.
All relevant fields should be completed, but fields marked with a red asterisk in the application portal must to be completed. The following information will help us to process your application. You will need to:
- insert the programme code 8100F the programme of study section
- select ‘PhD Chemistry - Chemistry’ as the programme of study
- insert the studentship code CAS20-01 in the studentship/partnership reference field
- attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code CAS20-01 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project
- attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.
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