Postgraduate research opportunities

Development of novel Inhibitors of CXCL12 production as new medicines for cancer and inflammation

CLXL12, cancer, Nuclear factor kappa B, signalling, molecular. Cellular Basis of disease/Drug discovery

Number of places

1

Opens

17 February 2020

Deadline

31 July 2020

Duration

36 Months

Eligibility

Background in Biology, Biochemistry or Pharmacology

Project Details

CXCL12 is a chemokine known to affect a number of important cellular events.  Recent studies have implicated it in a number of disease such as cancer, arthritis and atherosclerosis.  Inhibitors of the receptor for CXCL12, CXCR4, have been developed but have been found to have limited clinical success. An alternative strategy is to prevent the expression of CXCL12 as a means to inhibit its function.  Using an initial CXCL12 assay screen we have uncovered a number of potential novel inhibitors.  The project will assess the site and mechanism of action of these inhibitors and assess their potential as novel drugs for treatment of disease.  At the same time molecular approach will allow understanding of signalling events linked to CXCL12 to be explored.

 

Techniques used:

 Cell culture, western blotting, imaging, gene array, FACS analysis, siRNA

Funding Details

Applicant will need to self-fund, find sponsorship for tuition and bench fees of £10,000 per annum for duration of studies

Supervisor

Primary Supervisor: Professor Robin Plevin

Email: r.plevin@strath.ac.uk

 

Secondary Supervisor: Kathyrn McIntosh

Email: kathryn.a.mcintosh@strath.ac.uk