Pharmacy
Currently available projects
Investigating the biological role of i-Motif DNA structures
- School:
Pharmacy
- Primary Supervisor:
Dr Zoë Waller
Information
- Start date: October 2013
- Programme: PhD
- Mode of Study: Full Time
- Studentship Length: 3 years
How to Apply
- Deadline: 28 February 2013. NB Applications are processed as soon as they are received, so early application is encouraged.
- Apply online
Fees & Funding
- Funding Status: Self-Funded Students Only
Further Details - Funding Source: School
- Fees: Fees Information (Opens in new window)
- Bench Fees: There may also be a fee for project costs of £1,500 per annum.
Entry Requirements
- Acceptable First Degree:
Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Pharmacy, Chemistry
- Minimum Entry Standard: 2:1
Project Description
In addition to the classical B-form double helix, DNA can adopt many different secondary structures. Sixty nine percent of all known oncogenes contain GC rich sequences in their promoter regions that can adopt DNA secondary structures such as G-Quadruplexes and i-Motifs. G-quadruplex structures have been shown to exist in vivo and stabilisation of these structures can silence genes. Targeting such structures with small molecules has been proposed as therapeutic strategies that could prevent cancer progression and development. Given that i-Motifs will form opposite G-quadruplexes, these secondary structures may also play a key role in protein recognition; offering an alternative drug-design target. Currently very little is known about the biological effects of i-Motif structures. This project will improve understanding of their effects in vivo.
References
Balasubramanian S, Hurley LH, Neidle S. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2011, 10, 261.
Brooks TA, Kendrick S, Hurley L. FEBS J. 2010, 277, 3459.
Rodriguez R, Miller KM, Forment JV, Bradshaw CR, Nikan M, Britton S, Oelschlaegel T, Xhemalce B, Balasubramanian S, Jackson SP Nat Chem Biol. 2012, 8, 301.
Apply online