Prof T Maxwell
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
DNA topoisomerases are essential enzymes present in all organisms. Their role is to control the topological state of DNA, for example, during replication and transcription. Because of their essential nature they have become key drug targets for a number of antibiotics and anti-cancer agents. All topoisomerases can relax DNA, i.e. remove supercoils, but DNA gyrase, an enzyme essential in all bacteria, can also introduce supercoils. Although gyrase is an archetypal bacterial enzyme, it has also been found in plants, e.g. Arabidopsis thaliana, and plasmodial parasites, such as Plasmodium falciparum (a causative agent of malaria). The discovery of gyrase in these organisms presents the opportunity for determining the physiological role of the enzyme in eukaryotes, and raises the possibility of developing herbicides and anti-malarial agents. A. thaliana gyrase has been expressed in insect cells using baculovirus vectors but has so-far remained largely uncharacterised. In this project the student will characterise plant gyrase and investigate its role in chloroplast and mitochondria DNA replication, and develop inhibitors of the enzyme. They will also establish methods for producing and characterising the P. falciparum enzyme and explore the possibilities of developing new malaria agents targeted to this enzyme.
This project has been shortlisted for funding by the Norwich Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NRPDTP). Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed as part of the studentship competition. Candidates will be interviewed on either the 16th or 17th March 2016.
The Norwich Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NRPDTP) offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4 year research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP students undertake a three month professional internship (PIPS) during their study. The internship offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team. Students with, or expecting to attain, at least an upper second class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply.
For further information and to apply, please visit our website: www.biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk
Funding Notes
Full Studentships cover a stipend (RCUK rate: £14,057pa - 2015/6), research costs and tuition fees at UK/EU rate, and are available to UK and EU students who meet the UK residency requirements.
Students from EU countries who do not meet the UK residency requirements may be eligible for a fees-only award. Students in receipt of a fees-only award will be eligible for a maintenance stipend awarded by the NRPDTP Bioscience Doctoral Scholarships, which when combined will equal a full studentship. To be eligible students must meet the EU residency requirements. Details on eligibility for funding on the BBSRC website: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/documents/studentship-eligibility-pdf/
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