LSI Doctoral Training Centres - The doctoral training centre in chemical biology

The DTC's research will focus on the understanding of protein-protein and lipid-protein interaction.Quantitative measurement and modelling, of these macromolecular interactions, and the synthesis of new molecules with the ability to disrupt them will open up entirely novel avenues to attack diseases and ultimately be of clinical benefit.The Chemical Biology DTC is designed to exploit the UK's strong position in genomics by providing a bridge into new molecular post-genomic tools and technologies developed by DTC PhD researchers who work at the physical sciences/life sciences interface. The students are both the means by which the tools and technology are developed and the bridge that brings the quantitative perspectives of physical sciences to important biological problems. The need for such researchers has been highlighted by RCUK (http://w,Avw.rcuk.ac.uk/aboutreuk/executivegroup/egmeetings/feb07/070221report.htm) and thepharmaceutical sector (e.g. http://pubs.acs.org/cen/employment/84/8416chemicalbiology.html).Our particular focus on protein-protein and lipid-protein interactions has been chosen following consultation with senior research strategists from the pharmaceutical sector, who recognise that learning how to interfere with these interactions would form the basis for new pharmaceutical approaches to disease. However, they also recognise that such approaches will need to grow within academia and will require multidisciplinary researchers to carry these ideas with them and into industry. Their support of this proposal is a reflection of these longer term intentions.