PhD (via MPhil) Studentship in Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences - Regulation of Glycogen Metabolism as a Potential Therapeutic Approach Against Glioblastoma

Applications are invited for a PhD (via MPhil) studentship in the Biomedical Evidence-based Transdisciplinary (BEST) Health Research Institute within the School of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences. The studentship is funded through the school and be part of the UCLan Doctoral Training Centre for Industry Collaboration and is tenable for up to 3.5 years full time [subject to satisfactory progress]. Both Home and EU/International applicants may apply but EU/International applicants will be required to pay the difference in tuition fees between the UK and EU/International fee rates. The studentship will provide successful applicants with an annual stipend in line with UKRI rates (2024/25 rate £19,237 per year) subject to satisfactory progress.

It is expected the successful applicant will commence September 2024.

Project Description: Glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumour in adults with a median survival time of ~15 months. Current treatment options are ineffective and there is an urgent need for better approaches. Glycogen phosphorylase (GP) is a key regulator of glucose levels through glycogenolysis and is attracting significant interest as a potential anti-cancer target, including against glioblastoma. A feature of glioblastoma cells is the switch to a glycolytic energetic metabolism, which relies on high glucose uptake to sustain the cancer cells malignant activities. Hence, discovery of compounds that inhibit this could be a novel therapeutic strategy, effectively cutting off the tumours’ energy supply. Accordingly, this PhD project aims to identify GP inhibitors to decrease the available glucose. Pilot study data has indicated initial promise for this strategy, with compounds acting at the GP allosteric site and natural product polyphenols demonstrating best potential against glioblastoma. Compounds of this type will be explored. Discovery of new GP inhibitors will be accelerated by in silico approaches, and candidate compounds sourced from Celignis (Ireland) and other natural product companies. These will be tested for GP inhibition by collaborators at the University of Thessaly and for their anti-glioblastoma potential as part of the PhD at UCLan. Hence, the appointed student will be expected to perform both molecular modelling (computer-aided drug design) and cellular experiments as part of the project.

Further information

Informal project related enquiries about the post can be made to Dr. Joseph Hayes (jhayes@uclan.ac.uk).

For the full details go to: www.uclan.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/studentships

Applications should be completed on our online application system, selecting the following options:

• Type of Study - Research Degree (Postgraduate)
• Course - Master of Philosophy/Doctor of Philosophy
• Campus - Preston Campus
• Mode of Study - Full Time

Please quote the Studentship reference number DTC12-22-02 on the online application form.

Proposed interview date: TBC

Expected start date: 23^rd September 2024

Current UCLAN research students will not be eligible to apply for this research studentship

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