Characterisation of new cellular signallling systems using novel, rapid, high resolution protein electophoresis.

This project aims to apply newly developed very high speed, very high resolution electrophoretic techniques to the resolution of mixtures of phosphorylated proteins. The analytical current state of the art relies largely on mass spectrometric proteomics or multiplexing antibody-based detection systems in cell lysates or permeabilised cells (e.g. western blotting and flow cytometry respectively) with severe limits on the number of species analysable and strict reliance on the quality of antibodies. The intended outcomes of the project are the simplification and acceleration of the analysis of complex cell signalling systems and the development of bench top instruments for routine laboratory use. Our underlying hypothesis is that much richer time course data on many more transiently phosphorylated protein intermediates will allow better prediction of signalling system dynamics in both health and disease.

The analytical know-how will be provided by GMD using their prototype instruments and these will require modification and optimisation for protein work by the student. Biological use cases will be drawn from kinase dependent signalling systems (both receptors and non-receptor types) with activation in in vitro and in vivo (cell line) experiments.

Person specification:
The successful applicant will have a track record of commitment to excellence along with demonstrated experience, or aptitude for creative thinking, molecular biosciences (e.g. biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology) modern analytical techniques (especially microfluidics) and applied computing for instrument operation or data analysis. Specific training will be provided where these skills are not initially secure. The applicant will also have a significant interest in bio-businesses and knowledge transfer activities.