Biochemistry PhD Scholarship

PhD Project: 'Biochemist/Molecular biologist'

Center for Integrated Point of Care Technologies (CiPoC)

Technical University of Denmark - Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology

DELTA - Danish Electronics, Light and Acoustics

CiPoC is seeking two candidates for PhD projects centered on the development of new tech nologies and technological platforms for detection and identification of infectious diseases at the point of care (i.e., small clinics, Doctor's office, bedside).

Efficient development of Point of Care (PoC) diagnostic devices requires a highly multidi sci plinary approach: Developing the methods and technologies used in the devices, the devices them selves, systems integration, design for production, clinical testing and regula to ry issues. CiPoC is an interdisciplinary center lead by the GTS company DELTA (Danish Electronics, Light and Acoustics, www.madebydelta.com) with DTU Nanotech and the De part ment of Microbiological Surveillance and Research at the State Serum Institute (SSI-MOF) as strategic members. The center has assembled the broad range of competencies needed for PoC system development.

In line with the interdisciplinary nature of PoC development, both PhD projects will require a candidate who has the ability to work across scientific and technical disci pli nes and a desire to learn and apply a focused systems engineering approach.

PhD project 1 ('Biochemist/Molecular biologist') will involve developing sampling, sample preparation methods and analytical procedures (PCR and ELISA) as well as underlying technologies and platforms necessary to implement a PoC diagnostic system for detection and characterization of pathogens. The ideal candidate will have the equivalent of a Masters degree in biotechnology, bio che mistry or molecular biology and experience with bioanalytical assay development. In addition, experience with the development of Lab-on-Chip systems will be an additional highly valued qualification. The candidate will work close ly with biochemists, clinicians, engineers and physicists on developing the PoC system. There fore, an interest also in technological aspects of this multidisciplinary project is essen tial.

Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD students at DTU. The positions are available for a period of 3 years starting in the Fall 2011.

Additional informationFor information concerning the project specifically or CiPoC in general please contact either CiPoC's Scientific Officer Kenneth W. Harlow, PhD (kwh@delta.dk) (project) or CiPoC Center Director Morten Bech, (mbe@delta.dk) (CiPoC).

For more information on academic and PhD formalities as well as the projects contact:
Assoc. Prof. Anders Wolff (awol@nanotech.dtu.dk).

ApplicationTo apply, please read the full job advertisement at www.dtu.dk/career  

Application deadline: 1 August 2011 

Biochemistry PhD Scholarship

PhD Studentship

Discovery & Characterisation Of Novel Ligands For Deubiquitinating Enzymes

University of Nottingham - Centre for Biomolecular Sciences & the School of Veterinary Medicine & Science

Supervisors: Dr Ingrid Dreveny, Dr Kevin Gough, University of Nottingham

We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a background in biochemistry or related discipline to join a project on the discovery and characterisation of ubiquitin specific protease ligands.

In eukaryotic organisms ubiquitination serves as a signal to mark proteins for degradation. As an important cellular 'decision-making' mechanism, ubiquitination is tightly regulated and can be reversed by deubiquitinating enzymes. Ubiquitin specific proteases (USPs) constitute the largest family of deubiquitinating enzymes in the human genome. USPs interact with a plethora of different proteins to exert a regulatory function on protein degradation and signalling pathways and are specific to a limited number of substrates (1). Substrates are typically short-lived proteins such as those that control cell cycle progression. It is therefore not surprising that USPs have been linked to cancer and are deemed new drug targets (2).

The aim of the project is to isolate novel USP binding peptides employing phage display techniques, uncover consensus sequences and map the interaction between a USP and two known binding partners. Identified peptides will be characterised in terms of their effect upon catalytic activity and USP structure using X-ray crystallography. This will ultimately lead to a better understanding of substrate specificity and the development of novel anti-cancer drugs.

The successful student will have the opportunity to join a multidisciplinary team based in the new Centre for Biomolecular Sciences and the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University of Nottingham, benefiting from a diverse and stimulating research environment.

This fully funded three year studentship commencing in autumn 2011 will pay tuition fees and a stipend for UK or EU students of around £13,500 per year. Due to funding restrictions this studentship is only open to UK/EU students.

To apply, please send a cover letter and curriculum vitae with the names of two referees toingrid.dreveny@nottingham.ac.uk and kevin.gough@nottingham.ac.uk.

Please quote ref. SCI/1007.

This studentship will remain open until filled.

1.       Sowa, M. E., Bennett, E. J., Gygi, S. P., and Harper, J. W. (2009) Defining the human deubiquitinating enzyme interaction landscape, Cell 138, 389-403.

2.       Daviet, L., and Colland, F. (2008) Targeting ubiquitin specific proteases for drug discovery, Biochimie 90, 270-283.

For all our vacancies and more about working at the University of Nottingham see: http://jobs.nottingham.ac.uk/.

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