Download Biochemical and functional characterisation of

School of Life and Health Sciences
Title: Biochemical and functional characterisation of receptor signalling and trafficking protein
networks.
PhD Studentship (3 years)
Applications are invited for a three year research studentship in the fields of cell biology and
biochemistry at the School of Life and Health Sciences at Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
The Project
Our newly established group is interested in the trafficking and signalling properties of transmembrane
receptors. To study this we make use of an in vitro reconstitution approach in which the purified
cytoplasmic domain of a receptor (the receptor ‘tail’) can be chemically coupled to lipids and thus
displayed on liposomes, thereby mimicking the configuration of the receptor tail in its native environment.
Recruitment of cytoplasmic proteins from a cell lysate onto these tail displaying liposomes and analysis
by mass spectrometry allowed the identification of novel, complex interaction networks for a number of
interesting receptors. The goal of the project is to validate these findings biochemically, to functionally
dissect these networks and try to understand how these networks direct and mediate the trafficking and
signalling properties of a receptor.
One of the main approaches will be RNAi mediated suppression of candidate genes in mammalian
tissue culture cells and analysis of the phenotypes using a host of different methods (quantitative
immuno fluorescence microscopy (wide-field and confocal), SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, IPs, in vivo
radiolabelling and cell based assays). Furthermore we will use the ‘giant unilamellar vesicle’ (GUV) in
vitro approach to study the kinetics and consequences of protein recruitment on GUVs displaying a given
receptor tail.
Financial Support
The studentship is open to Home/EU students Only and comprises a stipend of approximately £13,000
per annum (Tax Free) and payment of Home/EU tuition fees. The studentship is available for three
years, subject to satisfactory progress review at the end of the first year and is anticipated to start for
October 2010 registration. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for fellowships as well.
Application Requirements
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Eligible Applicants must have a good honours degree (either first class or upper second) or hold an
MSc in a relevant discipline.
You should be enthusiastic about science and have a strong interest and background in cell biology
and biochemistry.
If you are an EU Applicant, the English Language requirements are a minimum score of 620 (260
minimum in computer test) in TOEFL OR IELTS with minimum marks of 6.5 in each section and an
overall band of 7.0.
For informal enquiries please contact Dr Thomas Wassmer by telephone: +44 (0)121 204 4407 or by
email: [email protected].
For an application form please visit: http://www1.aston.ac.uk/lhs/research/pgresopportunities/
Please send your completed application form with at least two academic references to Dr
Thomas Wassmer, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle,
Birmingham, B4 7ET, United Kingdom.
Closing Date for applications: Monday 16th August 2010.