PhD Studentship: Antibody Structures by Constrained Scattering Modeling – University of London, UK

This in-depth interdisciplinary programme provides world-class PhD training in Structural, Computational and Chemical Biology.

One studentship is available, funded by the BBSRC and STFC. The successful applicant will begin their PhD studies on 28 September 2009 with a tax-free stipend of over £1,200 per month and tuition fees paid in full at the home/EU rate.

Deadline for applicationsApplications must be received by 5pm, Thursday 27 AugustInterviews will be held on Tuesday 8 SeptemberProgramme structureYear 1Your first year will provide training in the principals of biological sciences at the ISMB, and the opportunity to begin your own research. You will carry out two 4-month rotations, one with the PhD project leader, and the other with a collaborating scientist in a complementary field. These rotations will provide you with the interdisciplinary and technical expertise to develop your PhD project.

You will also receive training from leading experts on elements of Structural, Computational and Chemical Biology and tuition in the skills needed to be an effective research scientist, including presentation skills, how to read and write a scientific paper and time management.Year 2 – 4Years 2-4 of the programme will be devoted to your PhD research project. You will give annual presentations to report on your progress and will have other opportunities to present your latest findings.Project detailsAntibody structures by constrained scattering modelingSupervisor:

Professor Steve Perkins, SMB, UCL Website: http://www.smb.ucl.ac.uk/bsm/structure/

Knowledge of intact antibody solution structures have high significance in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and immunology, yet often their properties are poorly understood. Neutron and X-ray scattering experiments provide diffraction data that can be combined with high resolution crystal structures to lead to medium resolution solution structures that explain how antibodies work. A multidisciplinary approach based also on analytical ultracentrifugation and sensor chip technologies provides further key insights on antibody stabilities.

The four-year PhD project is primarily aimed at developing new modelling software packages based on high throughput strategies in order to provide more detailed neutron and X-ray antibody structures. This software will be publically available, made applicable to all types of macromolecules, and maximize the benefits of the scattering instruments at the Diamond and ESRF synchrotrons and ISIS neutron source. Simultaneously with the programming, the PhD project involves laboratory work with antibodies, including ultracentrifugation and sensor chip experiments, where we will determine the solution structures and properties of modified human IgA (important in mucosal immunology) and the human IgG subclasses (important in biotechnology).

References

1. Perkins, S. J. (2009). Unravelling antibody and complement structures in immunity using TS-2 neutrons at ISIS. In the August issue of “The Biochemist”, Vol 31, Issue 4, published by the Biochemical Society. http://www.biochemsoc.org.uk
2. Perkins, S. J., Okemefuna, A. I., Nan, R., Li, K. & Bonner, A. (2009). Constrained solution scattering modelling of human antibodies and complement proteins reveals novel biological insights. J. Roy. Soc. Interface. Online at http://rsif.royalsocietypublishing.org/

Research environmentThe Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology (ISMB) is a multidisciplinary centre for world-class research. Research at the ISMB integrates techniques from the chemical and physical sciences to provide insight into the molecular basis of biological processes. This knowledge is exploited to further our understanding of human diseases. The interplay between structural, computational, and chemical biology has enabled some of the major scientific advances in modern biomedical research.

UCL and Birkbeck are located in Bloomsbury, in the heart of London. This provides an excellent opportunity to join in the professional and social life of the capital.

Funding applies to: EU applicants (including UK)Funding notes: BBSRC studentship eligibility criteria apply. We are unable to fund students who do not meet the residence and qualification eligibility requirements.

Application deadline: 27 August 2009

Contacts and how to applyAdministrative contact and how to apply:Instructions for applicants are available on the PhD programme web pages

at:http://www.ismb.lon.ac.uk/bbsrc_studentships.html

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