7 vacancies as of 9 March 2010:

• The role of GEFs, potential regulators of LRRK2 GTPase activity, for the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease
• Mechanisms underlying synapse-specific clustering of GABA_A receptors
• Therapeutic Gene Silencing using siRNA for Treatment of Neurological Disorders
• Investigating the involvement of the CA2 region in the hippocampal circuitry
• Defining age-specific dosage form requirements for paediatric medicines
• Investigating the GABA_A receptor pharmacology of inhibitory synaptic connections between hippocampal interneurones
• Cystallisation of the Multifunctional Receptor Clustering Protein Gephyrin

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Joint-funded PhD Studentship: School of Pharmacy, University of London and the University of Tübingen (Germany)

Department of Pharmacology

Applications are invited for a 36 month PhD studentship starting in October 2010. 

Project Description
Mutations in PARK8 encoding the cytosolic kinase LRRK2 are the most common known cause of familial and ‘idiopathic’ Parkinson’s disease. LRRK2 belongs to the ROCO family of proteins which are characterised by a Roc (Ras in complex proteins) domain with intrinsic GTPase activity and a COR (C-terminal of Roc) domain. The Roc-COR tandem domain controls LRRK2 kinase activity via an intramolecular process. The modification of LRRK2 GTPase and kinase activity by familial Parkinson’s disease mutations in the Roc, COR and kinase domains is believed to lead to neuronal cell death but the pathways involved remain elusive.

We have identified Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) as interactors and potential regulators of LRRK2 GTPase activity. The PhD project includes characterization of the LRRK2 GEF interaction using: i) yeast two-hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation to depict protein interaction domains ii) dopaminergic differentiated cells to assess co-localisation and redistribution of LRRK2 and GEFs upon co-transfection iii) GTPase assays to assess the influence of GEF activity on LRRK2 GTPase activity iv) immunocytochemistry of primary neuronal cell cultures and immunohistochemistry of brain sections from LRRK2 knock-out, transgenic (harbouring Parkinson’s disease causing mutations) and normal control mice comparing GEF/LRRK2 distribution. This will allow conclusions on the physiological and pathological interplay of LRRK2 and GEFs.  Techniques used will include: basis molecular biology, including cloning and mutagenesis; yeast two-hybrid; biochemistry e.g. co-immunoprecipitation; cell culture of immortalized cell lines and primary neuronal cell culture; transfection of mammalian cells; and GTPase assays.

This is a unique joint studentship between The School of Pharmacy and the University of Tübingen. The student will be primarily based at the School of Pharmacy in London but will spend approximately 50% of study at the University of Tübingen. This will allow the student to benefit from different facilities and expertise available to the supervisors. Upon successful completion of study, a PhD degree will be awarded from the School of Pharmacy, University of London.

Entry Requirements
Candidates must have, or expect to attain, a first or upper second class BSc degree in Biochemistry or Molecular Biology or a cognate discipline. Previous experience in cell biology, immunohistochemistry, microscopy or confocal imaging as well as spoken German would strengthen the application.  Students whose first language is not English must pass the IELTS English proficiency test with a minimum score of 6.5 in each of the four skill areas. Due to funding restrictions, only Home and EU students are eligible for the studentship.  Overseas candidates are not eligible and regretfully enquiries and applications from ineligible candidates will not be acknowledged.

Stipend
The studentship covers tuition fees and a maintenance stipend for 36 months pegged to the BBSRC in London rate (approx £15,500).

Informal enquiries may be addressed to the supervisors:

Dr Kirsten Harvey
Department of Pharmacology
The School of Pharmacy
Tel +44 (0)20 7753 5888
Fax +44 (0)20 7753 5902
Email kirsten.harvey@pharmacy.ac.uk
Web profile http://www.pharmacy.ac.uk/kirsten_harvey.html

Dr Saskia Biskup
LRRK2 Group
University of Tübingen
Tel +49 70712972280
Fax +(49) 7071294522
Email saskia.biskup@medizin.uni-tuebingen.de

Applications
The application form is available to download at:
http://www.pharmacy.ac.uk/apply_phd.html

Candidates should send the completed application form, CV, personal statement explaining their interest in the project and the names and contact details (including email) of two academic referees to Lauren O’Brien, Registry Officer, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29/39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, tel: 020 7753 5958, fax: 020 7753 5829, phd@pharmacy.ac.uk

The application closing date is 31 March 2010.  The studentship will be held open after this date until a suitable candidate is appointed.

 

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School of Pharmacy PhD Studentship

Department of Pharmacology

Applications are invited for a 36 month School of Pharmacy studentship starting in October 2010. 

Project Description
In this project we aim to determine how GABA_A receptor subtypes become selectively clustered at specific classes of central inhibitory synapse. The fundamental principle arising from previous work is that each presynaptic terminal recognises its postsynaptic partner, while each postsynaptic site recognises the synaptic bouton innervating it. In response to this recognition, the postsynaptic site sequesters, inserts or captures receptors appropriate for the function of that type of synapse. The question we aim to address therefore is how do the pre- and post-synaptic elements recognise each other. A range of cellular, protein biochemical and molecular techniques are being used to address this question and the student will work in collaboration with three postdoctoral fellows and the principal investigators associated with the project. A combination of two or more of the following techniques will be used: Protein Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Immunocytochemistry, Confocal Imaging, Cell culture, Electrophysiology.

Entry Requirements
Candidates must have, or expect to attain, a first or upper second class BSc degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology or a cognate discipline.. Due to funding restrictions, only Home and EU students are eligible for the studentship.  Overseas candidates are not eligible and regretfully enquiries and applications from ineligible candidates will not be acknowledged.

Stipend
The studentship covers tuition fees and a maintenance stipend for 36 months pegged to the BBSRC in London rate (approx £15,500).

Informal enquiries may be addressed to the supervisors:

Dr Jasmina Jovanovic
jasmina.jovanovic@pharmacy.ac.uk
+44 (0)20 7753 5887

Prof Alex Thomson
alex.thomson@pharmacy.ac.uk
+44 (0)20 7753 5899

http://www.pharmacy.ac.uk/neuro.html

Applications
The application form is available online at:
http://www.pharmacy.ac.uk/fileadmin/documents/msc/postgrad-appform-new.pdf

Candidates should send two original copies of the completed application form, CV, personal statement explaining their interest in the project and the names and contact details (including email) of two academic referees to Lauren O’Brien, Registry Officer, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29/39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, tel: 020 7753 5958, fax: 020 7753 5829.  Queries may be addressed to phd@pharmacy.ac.uk but electronic applications will not be accepted.

The application closing date is 15 April 2010.  The studentship will be held open after this date until a suitable candidate is appointed.

 

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School of Pharmacy/European Commission FP7 PhD Studentship

Department of Pharmaceutics

Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centre for Drug Delivery Research

Aims and Objectives
This project aims to study the gene silencing activity using different carrier systems for siRNA delivery into neuronal cells (such as immortalised and primary neurons, glia) for the management of disorders of the Central Nervous System (CNS). Silencing of certain genes known to play a role in Parkinson’s disease and Epilepsy will be tested in vitro and in vivo with the ultimate aim to deliver therapeutic siRNA to neuronal cells and achieve a functional outcome and activity. You will be part of a team of neuroscientists, neurosurgeons, pharmaceutical scientists and toxicologists with the ultimate aim to develop effective gene silencing technology for brain diseases that can be translated to clinical practice. The project is based on experimental work that will span cell & molecular biology and neurophysiology of the CNS.

For further information about the Nanomedicine Laboratory, see:
www.nanomedicinelab.org
http://cddr.pharmacy.ac.uk/main3.html

Entry Requirements
Applications are invited from candidates with a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (or equivalent) in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Biochemistry or a  cognate subject. Experience with basic molecular biology techniques (gels, rtPCR, etc) is desirable.

Funding
The studentship covers tuition fees and a maintenance stipend for 36 months.  The stipend in the first year will be £15,000 (if studentship starts before 1 August 2010).  The stipend will be pegged to the BBSRC in London rate in the second and third years.  Due to funding restrictions, only Home and EU students are eligible for the studentship.  Overseas candidates are not eligible and regretfully enquiries and applications from ineligible candidates will not be acknowledged.

Informal enquiries can be made by email to:

Prof Kostarelos
kostas.kostarelos@pharmacy.ac.uk
Web profile:  http://www.pharmacy.ac.uk/kostas_kostarelos.html

Dr Khuloud Al-Jamal
khuloud.al-jamal@pharmacy.ac.uk

Applications
The application form is available online at:
http://www.pharmacy.ac.uk/fileadmin/documents/msc/postgrad-appform-new.pdf

Candidates should send the completed application form, CV, personal statement and the names of two academic referees to Lauren O’Brien, Registry Officer, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29/39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, tel: 020 7753 5958, fax: 020 7753 5829, e-mail: phd@pharmacy.ac.uk

The application closing date is 15 April 2010.  The studentship will be held open after this date until a suitable candidate is appointed.

 

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School of Pharmacy Studentship

Department of Pharmacology

Applications are invited for a 3 year PhD studentship supervised by Dr Audrey Mercer in the Department of Pharmacology.

Project Description
The hippocampus is a relatively small brain area, but necessary for the acquisition of specific types of new knowledge, a form of memory called declarative memory. The normal, highly structured flow of information through this structure is essential for memory acquisition, for the processing of spatial information and for navigation. This flow and the processing of information are dependent on the proper wiring of the connections between neurones in the different regions of the hippocampus. This project focusses on a region of the hippocampus, the CA2 region, that is uniquely resistant to damage in temporal lobe epilepsy, but which demonstrates abnormalities early in the onset of schizophrenia and in bipolar disorder. If considered at all, the CA2 region has been seen as a transitional zone between CA1 and CA3. This project will, therefore, aim to characterise further the neurones of this region and to study their synaptic interactions within the CA2 region but also with neurones of the CA1 and CA3 regions.

Main Techniques

•  Paired recordings using sharp-electrodes with Biocytin filling.
• Whole-cell paired recordings with Biocytin filling.
• Immunocytochemistry: HRP protocol/ Immunofluorescence/Immunoperoxidase staining.
• Confocal microscopy.

Entry Requirements
Candidates must have a first or upper second class honours degree in Physiology, Pharmacology or a cognate subject.  Due to funding restrictions, only Home and EU students are eligible for the studentship.  Overseas candidates are not eligible and regretfully enquiries and applications from ineligible candidates will not be acknowledged.

Funding
The studentship covers tuition fees and a maintenance stipend for 36 months.  The stipend is pegged to the BBSRC in London rate (in 2009/10 £15,510), which increases annually.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to the supervisor:
Dr Audrey Mercer
Department of Pharmacology
Tel:       020 7753 5890
Fax:      020 7753 5902
Email:   audrey.mercer@pharmacy.ac.uk
Web profile:  http://www.pharmacy.ac.uk/a_mercer.html

Application
The application form is available online at:
http://www.pharmacy.ac.uk/fileadmin/documents/msc/postgrad-appform-new.pdf

Candidates should send the completed application form, CV, personal statement and the names of two academic referees to Lauren O’Brien, Registry Officer, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29/39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, tel: 020 7753 5958, fax: 020 7753 5829, e-mail: phd@pharmacy.ac.uk.

The application closing date is 15 April 2010.  The studentship will be held open after this date until a suitable candidate is appointed.

 

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Pfizer/School of Pharmacy Joint Funded PhD studentship

Centre for Paediatric Pharmacy Research

Applications are invited for a 36 month Pfizer/School of Pharmacy joint funded studentship starting in October 2010. 

Project Description
Strong evidence exists that children have many different requirements which must be considered when developing medicines. This project combines literature evidence and research methodology with respect to formulation design and behavioural factors in order to assess stakeholders’ perceptions (acceptance/preference) of paediatric oral dosage forms. It aims to establish and validate children-specific dosage form requirements (=User Requirement Specifications, URSs). The aim is to provide the evidence-base for informed clinical choice and industrial dosage form design of orally administered paediatric medicines. The expected outcome are to make recommendations for preferred age-appropriate oral dosage forms (including unacceptable formulations) and it will also highlight the attributes of ‘ideal’ dosage forms.

Methodology

1. Critical assessment of literature and existing methodologies (statistical survey for collecting and analysing data), and development of a suitable methodology for collecting stakeholders’ opinions on paediatric oral dosage forms. This will encompass children of relevant age groups, parent/caregivers and healthcare professionals.
2. Stakeholders’ survey of dosage form perception, (acceptability/preference) including impact on compliance, with due consideration for potential influencing factors such as demographics, condition (chronic/acute) and its behavioural impact.
3. Definition of URSs (from 1. and 2.). These will include key dosage forms’ attributes for each paediatric age group, specific needs, constraints and preferences, and prerequisites for accurate and reproducible administration as well as adherence.
4. Validation of URSs. Taking into consideration appropriate study populations (e.g. paediatric healthy volunteers of different ages) and test dosage forms (e.g. various oral solid placebo formulations), a trial will be designed and undertaken.

Entry Qualifications
Candidates must have a first or upper second class honours degree in Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences.  Previous work experience in a pharmaceutical company would be helpful.  Due to funding restrictions, only Home and EU students are eligible for the studentship.  Overseas candidates are not eligible and regretfully enquiries and applications from ineligible candidates will not be acknowledged.

Stipend
The studentship covers tuition fees and a maintenance stipend for 36 months pegged to the BBSRC in London rate. 

Informal enquiries may be addressed to the supervisor:
Dr Catherine Tuleu
Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutics & Deputy Director of the Centre for Paediatric Pharmacy Research
Tel:  +44 (0)20 7753 5857
Fax: +44 (0)20 7753 5942
http://www.pharmacy.ac.uk/catherine_tuleu.html

Application
The application form is available online at:
http://www.pharmacy.ac.uk/fileadmin/documents/msc/postgrad-appform-new.pdf

Candidates should send the completed application form, CV, personal statement and the names of two academic referees to Margaret Stone, Registrar, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29/39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, tel: 020 7753 5958, fax: 020 7753 5829, e-mail: phd@pharmacy.ac.uk.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is appointed.

 

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MRC/School of Pharmacy Joint Funded PhD Studentship

Department of Pharmacology

Applications are invited for this 42 month PhD studentship which is jointly funded by the MRC and the School of Pharmacy.  The project involves a multidisciplinary approach to a relatively unexplored aspect of functional hippocampal microcircuitry, focussing on synaptic connections made by highly specialised inhibitory, GABAergic interneurones whose primary role is to control the inhibition generated by other classes of inhibitory neurones. Their importance is indicated by our inability to predict the behaviour of other neurones without including their significant, but currently highly theoretical, contribution.  We know something of the anatomy of this circuitry, but far less about the functional properties of its inputs, or the subtype(s) of GABAA receptors that mediate its output synapses.  The project uses firmly established techniques, dual intracellular/whole cell recordings in vitro to study the properties of these specialised synapses and benzodiazepine site pharmacology to identify the receptors involved. Recorded cells will be filled with dye and their neurochemical content and detailed morphology assessed (immunofluorescence, Avidin-HRP-DAB). The skills acquired on this project will be in demand all over the world.

Candidates must have a first or upper second class honours degree in Physiology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology or a cognate discipline.  Due to funding restrictions, only HOME students are eligible for the full award.  EU students are eligible for a tuition fees award only.  Overseas candidates are not eligible and regretfully enquiries and applications from ineligible candidates will not be acknowledged.

The studentship covers tuition fees and a maintenance stipend for 42 months.  The stipend will be paid in line with MRC rates, including London allowance.  The 2009/10 rate is £15,510.  The 2010/11 rate is expected to be confirmed by the end of April 2010.  The rate usually increases annually.  The studentship will start in October 2010.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to the supervisors:

Name:               Dr Afia Ali and Professor Alex Thomson              
Department:      Pharmacology
Telephone:        +44 (0)20 7753 5856 / (0)20 7753 5899
Fax:                 +44 (0) 20 7753 5902    
E-mail:              afia.ali@pharmacy.ac.uk or alex.thomson@pharmacy.ac.uk
Web profile:       http://www.pharmacy.ac.uk/neuro.html

The application form is available online at:
http://www.pharmacy.ac.uk/apply_phd.html

Candidates should send the completed application form, CV, a letter explaining your interest in the project and the names and contact details, including email addresses, of two academic referees to Lauren O’Brien, Registry Officer, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29/39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, tel: 020 7753 5958, fax: 020 7753 5829, e-mail: phd@pharmacy.ac.uk.

The application closing date is 1 April 2010.  The studentship will be held open after this date until a suitable candidate is appointed.

 

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Bloomsbury PhD Studentship

Department of Pharmacology

Applications are invited for a three year Bloomsbury Colleges PhD Studentship in the laboratories of Dr Kirsten Harvey at the School of Pharmacy, University of London and Professor Nicholas Keep at Birkbeck, University of London.  This joint studentship PhD project aims to combine structural, molecular and cell biological approaches to elucidate the basis of GABA-A receptor clustering at synapses by the clustering protein gephyrin in more detail.  GABA-A receptors are the most abundant type of inhibitory receptor in the brain and are the pharmacological targets of benzodiazepines, barbituates and volatile anaesthetics.  The correct positioning of selected GABA-A receptor subtypes at synapses is determined by a set of trafficking and clustering proteins including gephyrin and collybistin.  Mislocation of neuronal GABA-A receptors can result in epileptic seizures, mental retardation and increased anxiety.

The successful candidate will work jointly in an established research group at the School of Pharmacy and at the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology at Birkbeck/UCL.  This project will allow the development of skills in structural biology, proteomics and cell biology.  The PhD Studentships will be enhanced by the provision of specialized training courses available at both academic institutions.  The successful candidates will have access to excellent molecular biology, cell biological, structural and computational facilities. 

Applicants must have or be expected to achieve at least a 2.1 degree in Biochemistry, Biology, Pharmacology or an equivalent subject.  The PhD Studentship stipend will be in accord with BBSRC rates including a London allowance.  Due to funding restrictions, applicants must have Home or EU student status.  Regretfully, applications from overseas students not eligible for the studentship will not be acknowledged.

Key References

1. Harvey K, Duguid IC, Alldred MJ, Beatty SE, Ward H, Keep NH, Lingenfelter SE, Pearce BR, Lundgren J, Owen MJ, Smart TG, Lüscher B, Res MI and Harvey RJ (2004) The GDP-GTP exchange factor collybistin:  An essential determinant of neuronal gephyrin clustering.  J Neuroscience 24: 5816-5826.
2. Kalscheuer VM, Musante L, Fang C, Hoffman K, Fuchs C, Carta E, Deas E, Venkateswarlu K, Menzel C, Ullmann R, Tommerup N, Dalprà L, Tzschach A, Selicorni A, Lüscher B, Ropers HH, HarveyK, Harvey RJ (2009) A balanced chromosomal translocation disrupting ARHGEF9 is associated with epilepsy, anxiety, aggression and mental retardation.  Human Mutation 30: 61-68.
3. Knight D, Harris R, McAlister MSB, Phelan JP, Geddes S, Moss SJ, Driscoll PC and Keep, NH (2002) The X-ray crystal structure and putative ligand-derived peptide-binding properties of GABAA receptor associated protein (GABARAP). J.Biol. Chem 277: 5556-5561.
4. Fritschy JM, Harvey RJ, Schwarz (2008) Gephyrin: where do we stand, where do we go? Trends Neurosci. 31:  257-264.

Further details about the project may be obtained from:

Supervisor:
Dr Kirsten Harvey
kirsten.harvey@pharmacy.ac.uk
http://www.pharmacy.ac.uk/kirsten_harvey.html

Co-Supervisor:   
Professor Nicholas Keep
n.keep@mail.cryst.bbk.ac.uk
http://people.cryst.bbk.ac.uk/~ubcg48a/

Further information about PhDs at The School of Pharmacy and Birkbeck is available from:
http://www.pharmacy.ac.uk/phd.html
http://www.bbk.ac.uk/prospective/research/
http://www.cryst.bbk.ac.uk./phd.html

The application form is available online at:
http://www.pharmacy.ac.uk/apply_phd.html

Candidates should send the completed application form, CV, personal statement and the names of two academic referees to Lauren O’Brien, Registry Officer, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29/39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX; Tel: 020 7753 5831; Fax: 020 7753 5829;  e-mail: phd@pharmacy.ac.uk

Closing date for applications is: 1st March 2010

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