Website The University of Bradford
Details
Diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) is a modern chemical methodology, which aims to synthesise small molecules that cover new chemical space with the possibility of finding unexplored biological targets or pathways that may be important for disease progression. The development of novel chemical entities (NCEs) is very important to the field of chemical genetics where chemical probes are used to probe known or unknown biological targets.
This project will use DOS to enable the preparation of libraries of NCEs comprising heterocyclic pharmacophores, which will be used to probe the functional activity of enzyme targets. DOS will also be used to discover novel tool compounds including fluorescent molecules to probe regulation and functional activity of (i) aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isoforms highly expressed in cancer stem cells, (ii) cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms expressed in solid tumours or (iii) aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) in prostate cancer. Conventional approaches such as computational modelling and medicinal chemistry will be employed in parallel to the use of DOS in order to develop chemical probes for enzyme interrogation.
We are looking for an enthusiastic student to develop effective chemical tool compounds that can be used for target interrogation in cell-free and cell-based assays. The student will be trained in the design of novel bioactive molecules including synthetic and computational studies as well as target interrogation in functional activity assays. Biological studies will include investigations comparing naked lead compounds with co-crystal versions to acquire knowledge essential for turning good chemical probes into potential drug candidates.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have at least 2:1 honours degree in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Pharmacy or related degree.
How to apply
Formal applications can be submitted via the University of Bradford web site. Applicants should register an account, select ‘Postgraduate Research’ as the type of course and ‘cancer therapeutics’ as the keyword. Please mention the project title in the Research Proposal section; applicants are not required to submit a research proposal for this project.
Informal enquiries are also welcome.
About the University of Bradford
Bradford is a research-active University supporting the highest-quality research. We excel in applying our research to benefit our stakeholders by working with employers and organisations world-wide across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors and actively encourage and support our postgraduate researchers to engage in research and business development activities.
Positive Action Statement
At the University of Bradford our vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity, where people want to, and can, make a difference. We place equality and diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to social mobility at the centre of our mission and ethos. In working to make a difference we are committed to addressing systemic inequality and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students.
Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action can be taken where protected group members are under-represented. At Bradford, our data show that people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups who are UK nationals are significantly under-represented at the postgraduate researcher level.
These are lawful measures designed to address systemic and structural issues which result in the under-representation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in PGR studies.
Funding Notes
This is a self-funded PhD project; applicants will be expected to pay their own fees or have a suitable source of third-party funding. A bench fee may also apply to this project, in addition to the tuition fees. UK students may be able to apply for a Doctoral Loan from Student Finance for financial support.
Want fewer missed deadlines?
Follow a channel you care about (Graduate → Post-PhD).