Protein Biochemistry and Drug Delivery: Developing a generic and modular approach for selective delivery of therapeutics to cancer cells

The project aims to develop a generic and modular approach for selective delivery of therapeutics to cancer cells. This is a collaborative project between Tenovus Cancer Research and the groups of
Dr Yu-Hsuan Tsai (Chemistry)
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/view/38515-tsai-yuhsuan
and Prof Arwyn Jones (Pharmacy).
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/view/90846-jones-arwyn-tomos

The project objectives are based on our recent findings showing that cancer cells can be targeted by receptor clustering on the plasma membrane (Moody et al., doi:10.1038/mt.2015.178) to enhance the internalisation of therapeutic cargo.

The student will be involved in designing and characterising a modular platform composed of different segments to deliver a therapeutic entity into the cytosol of cancer cells. These components are (i) a targeting entity for receptor clustering and promotion of endocytosis, (ii) an endosomal escape segment for delivery of the cargo to the cytosol, (iii) a therapeutic entity and (iv) cleavable linkers to free the therapeutic from the drug delivery vector once it is inside the cytosol. Training will be provided in organic synthesis, protein purification and chemistry, biochemistry, cancer cell culture, and live and fixed cell confocal microscopy.

Applicants should have, or expect to obtain, a minimum of an upper second-class honours degree (2:1) or equivalent in chemistry, pharmacy or a life science discipline, or a relevant Master’s qualification or equivalent. First-hand experience in organic synthesis, protein chemistry, mammalian cell culture or other relevant areas is highly desirable.

A self-starter with good interpersonal skills and a team player with a drive to succeed, you will be highly motivated relishing the opportunity to take a leading role in establishing this exciting research program.