Understanding interactions leading to pharmacological or biological activity through state-of-the-art biophysical techniques

The studentship offers unique training in the use of biophysical techniques to study interactions, as well as the development and validation of these techniques. You will apply biophysical techniques to current research questions in the teams involved in the studentship. These research questions include studying how proteins interact with potential drugs (for example acid-ceramidase) or their substrates (for example transglutaminase), how topoisomerases interact with DNA and how these interactions are affected by drugs/inhibitors, how sensitisers for DNA biosensors interact with DNA as well as studying the interactions of computationally designed peptides, proteins and other potential pharmaceutical drugs with their therapeutic targets. Application of biophysical techniques to a variety of different projects provides you with in-depth understanding of the applications of the biophysical tools to various research challenges, but will also develop your ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Because of the demands resulting from the interdisciplinary nature of the project, you'll be trained in any aspects of the project that are new to you - that is one of the reasons why we're looking for someone who is curious to learn new things. Training can be in the biophysical techniques; protein expression and purification; sample preparation; data analysis and interpretation; programming (Python) and software development or all of these. In addition, training will be provided on handling intellectual property; research ethics; various communication strategies (communicating with researchers in different disciplines, outreach, oral and poster presentations); equality, diversity and inclusion. The training in the technical aspects of the research in combination with the additional research skills will provide you with a unique and very much sought-after combination of skills.

In practical terms, the studentship involves biophysical studies of biologically relevant interactions using Cardiff's state-of-the-art Helix+ and Creoptix WAVE facilities, with validation using isothermal titration calorimetry experiments. Custom data analysis approaches, including machine learning, will be used to develop detailed quantitative understanding of the interactions. In addition to focussing on the biological systems of interest, we will also focus on understanding the validity and relationship of data from the different techniques. For example, you will explore whether affinities as quantified using different techniques or biological assays are in agreement, or whether any disagreement requires a revision of current hypotheses. Here you will be able to show your creative side by working alongside colleagues to find the best approach to study interactions and to find out what is happening on a molecular level. Finally, although not a core objective of the project, if you are interested in equipment development, you will have opportunities to explore this as well.