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Organization: University of Oxford - Department of Biochemistry

Location: Oxford, UK

Field: Biochemistry

Requirements:

To apply please submit an online application to the University of Oxford for admission to DPhil (course code 002530 or 003550). It is very important that you quote Studentship Source Code 11BBSRCMedImm. No research proposal is required as part of the application. Instead you are required to upload a personal statement of no more than 1000 words, describing your motivation and aptitude for this position, and your CV. Please arrange that two, or preferably three, referees directly submit references for you.
Residence eligibility: EU students who will have resided in the UK for at least 3 years by 1st September 2011 are eligible.

Abstract:

Covalent Antibodies – Exploring the Biological Properties of Antibodies which form Irreversible Interactions with Target Antigens

Description:

Covalent Antibodies – Exploring the Biological Properties of Antibodies which form Irreversible Interactions with Target Antigens
Industrial Sponsor: MedImmune, Cambridge, UK
Academic Supervisor: Dr Mark Howarth, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford
Please quote Studentship Source Code: 11BBSRCMedImm
 
Antibodies are a central tool in biological research and are increasingly successful as therapeutics. Antibody (Ab) dissociation limits how early diseases can be diagnosed and how well the activity of important low abundance signalling molecules can be modulated. Our research is to generate Abs that do not dissociate, because the modified Abs rapidly form covalent bonds to their target. Using a wide range of skills in DNA and protein manipulation, computational design, library selection and cell biology, the goal of this project is to optimise the way that covalent antibodies are generated. This will then be applied to transform the biological properties of clinically-relevant Abs, whose structure and behaviour have been characterized by MedImmune. The student will use these Abs to gain new insight into the effects of the target signalling molecules in health and disease.
For background: L.Holm et al. J Biol Chem. 2009 284(47):32906-13,
P. Dufner et al. Trends Biotechnol. 2006 24(11):523-9.
 
Further information:
Dr Mark Howarth Lab
http://users.ox.ac.uk/~bioc0756/MyWebs/activesite/

MedImmune
http://www.medimmune.com/research_technologies.aspx

Please contact mark.howarth@bioch.ox.ac.uk for informal discussion.

The project is supported by a 4-year BBSRC CASE PhD studentship covering fees at home/EU rate plus a living costs allowance of £13,590 and a CASE supplement of £2,500 per annum (totalling £16,090 p.a. not subject to income-tax).
MedImmune is a leading global biopharmaceutical company, acting as the biologics arm of AstraZeneca, with locations in the UK, US and the Netherlands. MedImmune developed the only monoclonal antibody approved to prevent an infectious disease, against Respiratory Syncitial Virus, and have research programmes to develop therapeutics against cancer, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease and chronic pain. In 2008 MedImmune opened the Aaron Klug Building, a new research and development facility in the heart of the Cambridge’s bioscience communit

Deadline: 11-03-2011

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