Development and application of fluorescent ligands for the platelet glycoprotein receptor GPVI

The GPVI-Fc receptor -chain (FcR-chain) complex mediates powerful activation of platelets by collagen and fibrin. GPVI is a member of the immunoglobulin (Ig) family of surface receptors and exists as a monomer and dimer on resting platelets, undergoing further dimerization upon activation. The goal of this project is to develop novel fluorescent ligands for GPVI based on small molecule antagonists (e.g. losartan and honokiol) and recently raised nanobodies against recombinant GPVI to monitor receptor dimerisation, higher order clustering and receptor internalisation and shedding. The project is suitable for a student with a background in chemistry/pharmaceutical science/biochemistry or a related discipline, however an understanding and experience of synthetic organic chemistry is ideally desirable. The first year of the project will be based in the University of Nottingham and the second in the University of Birmingham. The student will be awarded a joint degree. The studentship is open to UK and EU graduates (who must have reached the university requirement for English Language) and will be funded at RCUK rates for 3 years.
The project is one of six that has been funded through the Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE: http://www.birmingham-nottingham.ac.uk/compare/index.aspx) that focus on receptor clustering. The six studentships will form a doctoral training programme that will provide additional training and opportunities for collaboration.Applications should include a letter explaining why this project is of interest to the applicant along with a CV and the names of two referees. They should be sent to BR-BN-COMPARE [Email Address Removed] by 31 March, unless filled beforehand.