Cell Signalling PhD

The programme consists of a combination of research skills training provided together with supervised independent research, leading to completion of a PhD or an MRes thesis.

Research overview

You'll enjoy expert supervision, extensive training, leading-edge facilities, strong industrial links with major pharma companies and the opportunity to undertake short commercial placements. The school encourages students to present their own original research as abstracts and verbal and/or poster communications within the school and at national and international scientific meetings.

The major research themes within the group are:

• Molecular Pharmacology and Cell Biology of Cell Surface Receptors: molecular pharmacology, regulation and signalling of G-protein-coupled receptors and tyrosine kinase-linked receptors.
• 'Cross-Talk' Between Different Intracellular Pathways: synergistic interactions between G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs); interactions between GPCRs and tyrosine kinase receptors; cross-cascade signalling of proteins involved in gene transcription.
• Single molecule analysis of ligand-receptor interactions using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy: research on the development of fluorescent ligands for GPCRs.
• Use of bimolecular fluorescence complementation to investigate protein-protein interactions: investigation of receptor trafficking and receptor-effector interactions