PhD Studentship: Using Lipid Nano-Particles to Study G-Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs).

We are seeking a highly-motivated PhD candidate to join our interdisciplinary team to work on a collaborative project.

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) form the largest family of membrane proteins in the human genome and are the therapeutic target for ~40% of clinically-prescribed drugs. Understanding their structure & function at the molecular level is of fundamental importance. Using styrene maleic acid (SMA) co-polymer, we reported the first purification of active GPCR encapsulated in nano-scale SMA lipid particles (SMALPs), in the complete absence of detergent, thereby preserving the native lipid environment of the GPCR.

This is a multidisciplinary project headed by Prof Mark Wheatley (Coventry University) combining molecular pharmacology, fluorescence techniques and biophysics. We will exploit our powerful SMALP technologies to provide new insights into GPCR structure and molecular mechanisms, including conformational changes associated with activation and drug binding, using engineered receptors with fluorescent ligands and probes. Novel SMA-like polymers, including fluorescent polymers, possessing characteristics tailored specifically for this GPCR research will open new avenues of investigation in this ‘cutting-edge’ study. This project will benefit from established collaborations with world-leading research labs in other institutions. In particular, the student will benefit from spending several months with Prof Bert Klumperman (Stellenbosch University, South Africa) developing novel SMA-like polymers specifically tailored for GPCR research.

A unique advantage of this PhD studentship is upon successful completion, the student will be awarded a PhD degree from both participating Universities, Coventry University (UK) and Stellenbosch University (South Africa).

This project will provide the student with a broad skill-base, working with an international collaborative team and expertise relevant to a future career in either academia or the pharmaceutical industry.

Institutional profiles

Our labs within the Research Centre for Health & Life Sciences (CHLS) at Coventry University are modern and very well equipped. In REF2021, 93% of our Allied to Health research at Coventry University was ranked as ‘World leading’ or ‘Internationally Excellent’, as was 100% of our Research Environment. Furthermore, PhD student training in CHLS was awarded prestigious accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology, the first university in the UK to hold this accolade.

Stellenbosch University is amongst South Africa's leading universities based on research output, student pass rates and rated scientists, and is recognised internationally as an academic institution of excellence. Stellenbosch is home to an academic community of 29,000 students (including 4,000 foreign students from 100 countries). The historical oak-lined university town, set amongst the Boland Mountains in the world famous wine-producing region of the Western Cape, creates a unique campus atmosphere. This, together with the scenic beauty of the area and state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly facilities makes for the University’s unique character.

Please contact Prof. Mark Wheatley for informal enquiries (mark.wheatley@coventry.ac.uk)

Entry requirements

Applicants must have an MSc in order to fulfil the Stellenbosch University entry requirements.
Candidates must apply and be accepted to both universities in order to be accepted for the co-tutelle programme.

• A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average.
• A minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS academic overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).

Candidates are strongly advised to apply both universities.

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