About the Project
Competitive three year full time studentship in the Department of Biological and Medical Sciences
Research Title : Mapping and identification of allosteric pathways in the alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Main supervisor Professor Isabel Bermudez
Eligibility:Only open to UK/EU applicants (who must be permanently resident in UK/EU)
Start date: 19th September 2016
Bursary: £14057 pa for academic year 2016/17 & fees
Closing date: 21st February 2016
Applicants should be of the highest quality and capable of submitting a PhD thesis within 3 years. Requirement a good Honours degree (2.1 or equivalent).
EU applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate minimum score level 6 in each of the four areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking with overall minimum score 7.0 issued since the 23rd April 2015 by an approved test centre please see web site below. Or an undergraduate degree awarded by a recognised UK university within the last two years.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-applying-for-uk-visa-approved-english-language-tests
Project Summary
The project involves a multidisciplinary approach to the elucidation of the structural and allosteric mechanisms that drive communication between the subunits of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine alpha4beta2 receptors. These receptors are sufficient and necessary for nicotine addiction and thus a prime target for the development of smoking cessation therapies. The project will foster skills in Xenopus oocyte expression and two-electrode voltage-clamping, mutagenesis, the substituted cysteine scanning method and molecular dynamics.
The appointed individual will have the opportunity to train undergraduate students in molecular biology and pharmacological techniques; to regularly disseminate her/his work at national and international meetings and to participate in outreach activities such as Science Festivals and talks in schools.
Please note that any successful applicant may be subject to a DBS search once they enrol in view of outreach activities involving schools. In view of checking procedures they will be required to exhibit a current passport - -https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check
As part of your training you will be required to assist in demonstrating on undergraduate practicals during semesters without further remuneration.
Further information on the project please contact Professor Isabel Bermudez
e-mail address [Email Address Removed]
How to apply
Please complete the Application Form, which you can download from
http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/images/research/phd-studentship-application-form-jan-14.doc
With your application please enclose a CV and scanned copy of your degree certificates and transcripts and letter from awarding body plus two signed academic references. Additionally if appropriate a valid IELTS Academic test score certificate.
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Please very clearly note that applications only accepted by e-mail to the following address:
[Email Address Removed]
PLEASE NOT THAT YOU MUST NOT SEND ANY QUERIES, APPLICATION, CV OR OTHER DOCUMENTATION TO FINDAPHD
Funding Notes
Start date: 19th September 2016
Bursary: £14057 pa for academic year 2016/17 & fees
Closing date: 21st February 2016
Requirement a good Honours degree minimum 2.1 from a UK university or acceptable equivalent from a recognised university.
EU applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate minimum score level 6 in each of the four areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking with overall minimum score 7.0 issued since the 23rd April 2015 by an approved test centre please see web site below. Or an undergraduate degree awarded by a recognised UK university within the last two years.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-applying-for-uk-visa-approved-english-language-tests
References
Recent publications:
1. Mazzaferro S, Benallegue N, Carbone A, Gasparri F, Vijayan R, Biggin PC, Moroni M, Bermudez I. (2011) An additional ACh binding site at the α4/α4 interface of the (α4β2)2α4 nicotinic receptor influences agonist sensitivity. JBC 286: 31043-54.
2. Mantione E, Micheloni S, Alcaino C, New K, Mazzaferro S, Bermudez I. (2012) Allosteric modulators of α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: a new direction for antidepressant drug discovery. Future Med Chem. 4(17):2217-30.
3. Jin X, Bermudez I, Steinbach JH (2013) The nicotinic 5 sbuit can replace either an ACh-binding or non-binding subunit in the 42* neuronal nicotinic receptor. Mol. Pharmacol. 85(1):11-7.
4. Mazzaferro S, Gasparri F, New K, Alcaino C, Faundez M, Iturriaga Vasquez P, Vijayan R, Biggin PC,Bermudez I.(2014) Non-equivalent ligand selectivity of agonist sites in (α4β2)2α4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: a key determinant of agonist efficacy. J Biol Chem. 289(31):21795-806.
5. Sciaccaluga M, Moriconi C, Martinello K, Catalano M, Bermudez I, Stitzel JA, Maskos U, Fucile S. (2015) Crucial role of nicotinic α5 subunit variants for Ca2+ fluxes in ventral midbrain neurons. FASEB J. 29 (8):3389-98.
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