Non-ribosomal peptide synthetases are dynamic molecular machines which produce some of the most important medicinal compounds including the antibiotic vancomycin, the immunosuppressant rapamycin and the anticancer agent Bleomycin. In this project, you will investigate how the dynamic conformational changes of these large proteins contribute to their success as catalysts. You will apply new protein-labelling methods to site-specifically label proteins before using EPR and FRET approaches to analyse how the protein conformational state and the movement between them change in response to the catalytic cycle of the protein. This project will be a critical step in generating designer enzymes capable of producing new variants of these high-value medicinal projects.
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
Continue with Facebook
