PhD Studentship: Establishing Induced Degradation Approaches to Support PROTAC Based Drug Discovery

Funding for: UK Students

Funding amount: Home tuition fees and stipend at standard UKRI rates.

A PhD studentship (3.5 years) is available from September 2023 under the supervision of Prof Helfrid Hochegger (Genome Damage and Stability Centre) and Prof. John Spencer (Sussex Drug Discovery Centre, School of Life Sciences.

Deadline: 28.02.2023

Project Title: Establishing induced degradation approaches to support PROTAC based drug discovery

Brief Description of the Project:

The major aim of this project is to assist in the validation of induced protein degradation as a viable strategy to develop novel anti-cancer therapies. Induced degradation of specific targets using small molecules called PROTACs has recently gained considerable attention in the drug discovery field. However, developing these molecules poses considerable challenges to medicinal chemists. Moreover, it is often unclear if induced degradation is advantageous compared to conventional inhibition mechanisms.  We aim to address these challenges by establishing a genetic approach to induced degradation. This involves the introduction of degron-tags into endogenous genomic loci for proteins of interest using CRIPSR mediated gene targeting.

A variety of different tags are available for this purpose and also several different CRISPR techniques to ensure optimal targeting efficacy. In this project we aim to optimise a workflow for this technique that can be applied in an efficient target validation workflow for drug discovery on a variety of targets and cellular model systems. The student working on this project will be integrated in a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment at the crossing of chemical genetics, cancer cell biology and drug discovery and will be co-supervised by Prof. Hochegger an expert in cell biology and Prof. John Spencer the Director of the Sussex Drug Discovery centre.

We are looking for ambitious and enthusiastic applicants with a background in genetics and cell biology and an interest in cancer biology and drug discovery.

How to apply:

Please submit a formal application using the online admissions portal attaching a CV, degree transcripts and certificates, personal statement and two academic references.

On the application system select Programme of Study – PhD Genome Stability. Please state the project title under funding and the supervisor’s name where required.

Ideal candidates will have a strong background in cell biology and cancer biology.

Eligible applicants will hold a 2:1 BSc in a relevant subject.

Candidates for whom English is not their first language will require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with not less than 6.0 in any section.

For enquiries about the application process, contact Emma Chorley: lifesci-rec@sussex.ac.uk

For enquiries about the project, contact supervisor: hh65@sussex.ac.uk

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/lifesci/hocheggerlab/ , https://helfrid.github.io

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