Scholarship in UK.

Our newly established group is interested in the trafficking and signalling properties of transmembrane receptors. To study this we make use of an in vitro reconstitution approach in which the purified cytoplasmic domain of a receptor (the receptor ‘tail’) can be chemically coupled to lipids and thus displayed on liposomes, thereby mimicking the configuration of the receptor tail in its native environment. Recruitment of cytoplasmic proteins from a cell lysate onto these tail displaying liposomes and analysis by mass spectrometry allowed the identification of novel, complex interaction networks for a number of interesting receptors. The goal of the project is to validate these findings biochemically, to functionally dissect these networks and try to understand how these networks direct and mediate the trafficking and signalling properties of a receptor.
One of the main approaches will be RNAi mediated suppression of candidate genes in mammalian tissue culture cells and analysis of the phenotypes using a host of different methods (quantitative immuno fluorescence microscopy (wide-field and confocal), SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, IPs, in vivo radiolabelling and cell based assays). Furthermore we will use the ‘giant unilamellar vesicle’ (GUV) in vitro approach to study the kinetics and consequences of protein recruitment on GUVs displaying a given receptor tail.
Application Requirements
• Eligible Applicants must have a good honours degree (either first class or upper second) or hold an MSc in a relevant discipline.
• You should be enthusiastic about science and have a strong interest and background in cell biology and biochemistry.
• If you are an EU Applicant, the English Language requirements are a minimum score of 620 (260 minimum in computer test) in TOEFL OR IELTS with minimum marks of 6.5 in each section and an overall band of 7.0.
• For informal enquiries please contact Dr Thomas Wassmer by telephone: +44 (0)121 204 4407 or by email: T.Wassmer@aston.ac.uk.
• For an application form please visit: http://www1.aston.ac.uk/lhs/research/pgresopportunities/

Please send your completed application form with at least two academic references to Dr Thomas Wassmer, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, United Kingdom.




Closing Date for applications: Monday 16th August 2010.

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