White Rose BBSRC DTP studentship: Understanding how myosin regulation regulates cell behaviour

Myosin misbehaving: Myosins are motor proteins important for many diverse functions from muscle contraction to cell migration, organelle trafficking and organisation of the actin cytoskeleton in non-muscle cells. Myo7a, is a specific myosin isoform critically important for normal hearing and sight. It is found in the stereocilia of the inner and outer hair cells in the cochlea, and in pigmented retinal epithelial (RPE) cells in the eye. It plays important roles in building stereocilia, in regulating the response of the stereocilia to sound, and in trafficking of pigment granules in the RPE cells. Mutations in Myo7a result in deafness and blindness.

We only have a limited understanding of the structure and function of this important protein. In this project, you will use a combination of protein expression and purification, structural biology (including single particle Cryo-EM), in vitro single molecule fluorescence assays and advanced cellular imaging, to gain a better understanding of how the activity of this key protein is self-regulated, how it binds to the F-actin track, and how its activity may be further regulated by one of its binding partners (MYRIP).

Funding Note

This studentship is part of the BBSRC White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership in Mechanistic Biology. (https://www.whiterose-mechanisticbiology-dtp.ac.uk/). Appointed candidates will be fully-funded for 4 years. The funding includes:

Tax-free annual UKRI stipend (£15,609 for 2021/22 starts. Awards increase every year, typically with inflation).

UK tuition fees (Around £4,500 per year)

Research Training and Support Grant (RTSG)

Conference and Professional Internships for PhD Students (PIPS) allowances

We aim to support the most outstanding applicants from inside and outside the UK. We are able to offer a limited number of bursaries that will enable full studentships to be awarded to international applicants. These full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality candidates, due to the competitive nature of this scheme.

Not all projects will be funded; the DTP will appoint a limited number of candidates via a competitive process.

How to apply

Applicants should complete an online application form and attach the following documentation to support their application. 

• a full academic CV
• degree certificate and transcripts of marks
• Evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (if applicable).

To help us identify that you are applying for this studentship project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form;

• Select PhD in Biological Sciences as your programme of study
• Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert
• For source of funding please state you are applying for a White Rose BBSRC DTP funded studentship