The Department of Biosciences at Aston University has recently been awarded the EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie funded COFUND Doctoral Programme entitled MemTrain (Cell Membranes in Industrial Processes Training). The Programme is coordinated by Dr Alan Goddard who is a member of the Aston Membrane Protein and Lipid Research Group (AMPL). More information about AMPL can be found at:
Over five years, MemTrain will train 12 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs; within 4 years of Masters qualification) undertaking a PhD in an area of research within the remit of AMPL, each of which is expected to have an intersectoral focus. Possible projects involve determining the roles of biological membranes in biotechnology or medicines discovery and the application of novel methodologies to investigate these membranes. Our 11 industrial partners will contribute to training of the researchers to generate a unique, integrated, learning environment in which graduate students benefit from industrial links, employability and entrepreneurial skills, and will leave as researchers who are highly competitive for jobs within academia and industry, as well as public policy, intellectual property law or as entrepreneurs. We are now recruiting for the following project.
Analysis of membrane lipids and their interaction with proteins by mass spectrometry (Waters Ltd).
Cell membrane lipid composition is critical for membrane functionality. The activity of membrane proteins is dependent on their interaction with surrounding membrane lipids, and membrane lipids also act as signals to other cells through recognition by receptors and antibodies. Membrane lipids can also be modified in stress conditions, for example by oxidation. In order to understand membrane properties, detailed analysis of local lipid environment is
needed, using sophisticated analytical methods such as mass spectrometry. The project will focus on 2 related biological areas: i) Analysis of antibody recognition of glycolipids relevant to the development of autoimmune diseases of the nervous system, and ii) Analysis of membrane lipids associated with membrane transporters and their functional effects. The project will be a collaboration with Waters Ltd, and will utilize their new generation cyclic ion mobility mass spectrometry (cIM-MS) instrument for enhanced ability to separate and identify membrane lipids and oxidised lipids, and determine their interactions with membrane proteins. The project will run with support and collaboration from scientists at Waters.
Project contacts
Scientific:
Prof Andy Pitt, Aston University:
Prof. Corinne Spickett, Aston University
Coordination:
Dr Alan Goddard
Further Information
Please visit the website https://jobs.aston.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=R190342 for further information and to apply online.
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