Cationic Peptides are a promising therapy to act as anti-cancer agents, and to target pathogenic microbes that are multi-drug resistant. There are approximately 100,000 deaths per year caused by cancer in the UK. Additionally, the increased inefficacy of antibiotics, combined with the slowing pace at which new actives are being developed are, according to the world health organisation to be one of the largest future risks to healthcare and food security. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the frequency of these multi-resistant organisms has increased significantly.
Cationic peptides have promise to be strong antimicrobial agents and have anti-cancer activity. If these peptides self-assemble into higher ordered structures, they may have the ability to self-deliver, have longer in vitro half-life and higher potency due to presentation of charge at higher density.
The aim of this project is to characterise are define the activity of a group of small antimicrobial/anti-cancer peptides and peptoids. To do this, you will use a series of biophysical techniques (including Small Angle-X ray Scattering (SAXS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), mass photometry, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Transition electron microscopy (TEM)). We will do some cell culture work to determine the effects against human cancer cells.
Finally, we will examine their effect against model membrane vesicles based on human cell, different bacteria cell and cancer cell membranes using small angle x-ray scattering.
Applications are now closed for this project.
Please apply via our online application portal. The vacancy that you are applying for is the "Summer Placements 2023" listing, you will then have the opportunity to select up to three projects to apply for. This project's reference is 23007SP.
Interviews will be scheduled for 6, 7, 8, and 9 February 2023.
If you are disabled and would like to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please let us know via the online application process.
Please note that this role does not meet the required skill level for a Skilled Worker visa and therefore we would be unable to sponsor individuals due to the current UK Home Office immigration rules. To be appointed to the role, candidates will need to have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship from us.
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