About the Project
Supervisory team:
Prof. K. Ravi Acharya (University of Bath
Dr. Sai Man Liu (Ipsen Bioinnovation Ltd)
Applications are invited from graduates with a First or Upper Second class degree in Biophysics, Biochemistry or Molecular Biology for a fully-funded PhD studentship commencing in October 2018 in the Department of Biology & Biochemistry at the University of Bath.
The PhD project is a collaboration between Professor K. Ravi Acharya’s group at the University of Bath and Ipsen Bioinnovation Limited focusing on discovery and development of new medicines derived from botulinum neurotoxins and related proteins to treat chronic diseases.
The project
The PhD project will be aimed at assessing factors important in the design of ligands suitable for the delivery of cargo to cells via receptor-ligand interactions. The project would involve structure-function studies on selective Clostridium botulinum neurotoxins and related molecules.
Value to the student
The project will provide high-level training in a broad set of skills:
(i) Structure-function analysis using structural biology (X-ray crystallography, protein engineering and biophysical) tools.
(ii) Exposure to characterisation of ligand-receptor interactions using bioinformatics and molecular modelling approaches.
With the rapidly expanding fields of structural molecular biology and bioinformatics, the project would provide the student with a valuable set of skills and working experience both in Academia (University of Bath) and Biopharmaceutical company (Ipsen Bioinnovation Limited). In addition, there would be considerable scope for high impact publications (as listed below).
For informal enquiries please contact Professor K. Ravi Acharya at University of Bath (email: [Email Address Removed])
Formal applications should be made via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Biochemistry:
https://www.bath.ac.uk/samis/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=RDUBB-FP01&code2=0012
More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found here:
http://www.bath.ac.uk/guides/how-to-apply-for-doctoral-study/
Anticipated start date: 1 October 2018
Note: Applications may close earlier than the advertised deadline if a suitable candidate is found; therefore, early application is strongly recommended.
Funding Notes
UK and EU students applying for this project may be considered for a studentship co-funded by the University of Bath and Ipsen Bioinnovation Ltd. The studentship cover Home/EU tuition fees and a tax-free maintenance allowance at the RCUK Doctoral Stipend rate (£14,777 in 2018-19) for a period of 3.5 years. Funds will also be available to support research expenses, training and travel.
Note: ONLY UK and EU applicants are eligible for this studentship; unfortunately, applicants who are classed as Overseas for fee paying purposes are NOT eligible for funding.
References
Note- All references listed below are published by current and past PhD students supported by Ipsen Bioinnovation Ltd.
1: Davies JR, Rees J, Liu SM, Acharya KR. High resolution crystal structures of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin A3 and A4 binding domains. J Struct Biol. 2017 Dec 26. pii: S10478477(17)30233-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2017.12.010. [Epub ahead of print].
2: Masuyer G, Davies JR, Moore K, Chaddock JA, Acharya KR. Structural analysis of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin type D as a platform for the development of targeted secretion inhibitors. Sci Rep. 2015 Sep 1;5:13397. doi: 10.1038/srep13397.
3: Masuyer G, Chaddock JA, Foster KA, Acharya KR. Engineered Botulinum neurotoxins as new therapeutics. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol. 2014, 54, 27-51.
4: Stancombe PR, Masuyer G, Birch-Machin I, Beard M, Foster KA, Chaddock JA, Acharya KR. Engineering botulinum neurotoxin domains for activation by toxin light chain. FEBS J. 2012, 279, 515-523.
5: Masuyer G, Stancombe P, Chaddock JA, Acharya KR. Structures of engineered Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin derivatives. Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. 2011, 67, 1466-1472.
6: Masuyer G, Beard M, Cadd VA, Chaddock JA, Acharya KR. Structure and activity of a functional derivative of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin B.J Struct Biol. 2011, 174, 52-57.
7: Masuyer G, Thiyagarajan N, James PL, Marks PM, Chaddock JA, Acharya KR. Crystal structure of a catalytically active, non-toxic endopeptidase derivative of Clostridium botulinum toxin A. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009, 381, 50-53.
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