Searching for drug-like integrin inhibitors for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Once diagnosed, survival rates of patients with idiopathic pulmonary disease (IPF) are around 3 years, which is worse than most cancers. The αvβ6 integrin receptor is particularly expressed in affected tissue and the hypothesis is that inhibition will slow the progression of the disease. The project is a CASE studentship with GlaxoSmithKline and will focus on the design and chemical synthesis of novel small molecule inhibitors of αv integrins for the potential treatment of IPF. The project is directed by Professor Christopher J. Moody, along with Thomas McInally and Dr Simon Macdonald (of GSK who is also a visiting Professor at Nottingham) and will be based in the University’s new Carbon Neutral Laboratory.

Alongside the supervision described above, considerable collaboration will be required between the student, expert medicinal chemists and biologists at GlaxoSmithKline who will screen the compounds. Computational chemistry support will be from Professor Jonathan Hirst and potentially also clinical support from Professor Gisli Jenkins at the City Hospital in Nottingham. The student will also be expected to collaborate with and assist in mentoring around ten 4th year undergraduate project students who will be working on related aspects of the project.

Qualifications:
Applicants should be in possession of, or expect to attain, a first or upper second class MSci/MChem degree, or equivalent, in chemistry.

Apply online at http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/apply/apply-online.aspx Interested students are welcome to contact Professor Chris Moody for an informal discussion or for further information [Email Address Removed]

This studentship is open until filled and will start October 2017. Early application is strongly encouraged.

The School values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity. The School of Chemistry holds a Silver Athena SWAN Award in recognition of our commitment to advancing women's careers in science. You can read more about what this means at http://www.athenaswan.org.uk/ and on our website http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry/about/athena-swan.aspx