The University of Manchester
BBSRC Industrial CASE PhD Studentship
Drug Design and Action
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
DNA Damage Response and Molecular Recognition by the Innate Immune System.

Professor Ian Stratford & Dr Kaye Williams (University Of Manchester)
Dr Robert Wilkinson (Astrazeneca)
The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is inviting applications for a distinguished three-year BBSRC Industrial CASE PhD studentship commencing in January 2008. The studentship is open to UK nationals only due to the nature of the funding and will attract a minimum annual stipend of £15,100 in addition to tuition fees. The project would involve a three-month placement at AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, Cheshire.

New data are emerging that provide further insights into molecular mechanisms/pathways underlying recognition of diseased cells by the innate immune system and in particular Natural Killer (NK) cells. Mouse and human ligands for the NK activation receptor NKG2D are constitutively expressed in vitro on certain transformed lines and upregulated on the surface on cell lines following genotoxic stress and stalled DNA replication. These findings suggest a novel link between the immune response and processes that regulate genome integrity.

This proposed project would focus on a number of key questions around understanding the immune-recognition of the DNA damage response following genotoxic injury in an in vivo setting. The project would be hosted within a group which integrates expertise in experimental therapeutics, cell and molecular biology and tumour biology.

Candidates should hold a first or upper-second class honours degree in a relevant biological/medical discipline and meet the eligibility criteria set out in the BBSRC guidelines (link below). Skills in standard immunology and/or cell biology techniques (e.g. tissue culture, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry) would be an advantage.

http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/training/eligibility.pdf.

It is expected that following successful completion of this PhD the candidate would progress into further academia or R&D in industries including pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
Interested candidates should submit a CV and detailed covering letter outlining their suitability for carrying out this study to Professor Ian Stratford: ian.stratford@manchester.ac.uk.
Contact details for two academic or professional referees should also be provided.