PhD studentship, University of Aberdeen (1)

Via www.findaphd.com. A PhD studentship is available at the University of Aberdeen to study a project entitled 'The Amino-Terminal Domain of Steroid Receptors as a Novel Drug Target: Identification and Characterisation of Small Molecule Inhibitors' supervised by Professor Iain McEwan.

Steroid hormones regulate a wide range of physiological processes from the control of reproduction to metabolism. These molecules act via intracellular receptor proteins, which function as ligand-activated transcription factors. Steroid receptors (SHRs) also represent a well validated drug target for the treatment of some of the major health concerns in the developed world including hormone-dependent cancers, inflammation and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Currently, therapeutic intervention involves blocking synthesis of the natural hormone coupled with the use of antagonists, which bind to the receptor protein but fail to activate the normal signalling cascade. However, the effectiveness of such treatments can be compromised by side-effects or the emergence of resistance to steroid antagonists. The structurally flexible N-terminal domain (NTD) of SHRs is important for receptor activity and is involved in multiple protein-protein interactions (PPi) with the transcription machinery. Recent evidence suggests that the NTD may represent an effective drug target to switch off receptor signalling by interfering with PPi, irrespective of the hormone binding status of the protein. This project will involve developing and using cell based models to identify and characterise modulators of SHR action.

Funding is provided by a BBSRC-CASE Award with TPP Global Development. Candidates should have a 2.1 or higher honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. Click on the link below for more information. The closing date for applications is 1 June 2012.

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