PhD in Chemistry – Developing pharmacological chaperones for the treatment of congenital disorder of glycosylation.

Dr Fabrizio Pertusati is looking for a PhD student to design synthesise and evaluate pharmacological chaperones for the treatment of congenital disorder of glycosylation.

Research in the Pertusati group focusses on the design and synthesis of small molecules for the treatment of rare diseases and fungal infections. A major theme is the area of congenital disorder of glycosylation, a set of diseases affecting children worldwide.  (https://profiles.cardiff.ac.uk/staff/pertusatif1).

Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDGs) are a large group of rare genetic disorders that affect the addition of sugar building blocks, called glycans, to proteins in cells throughout the body. The major CDGs is called PMM2 caused by a deficiency in an enzyme that convert mannose-6-p into mannose-1-P a key intermediate in protein glycosylation. Recently, via high throughput screening few new structures have been discovered that are capable to restore the full activity of defective PMM2. Scope of this PhD program is to conduct SAR studies to improve the drug like properties of these structures and discover a more potent derivatives. A highly motivated student undertaking this PhD would gain valuable experience in synthetic organic chemistry, multinuclear NMR and translational drug discovery as the project will be in partnership with an international team of biologists and clinicians.

Academic criteria

We require applicants to have a 2.2 BSc or equivalent to be considered for PhD study. Applications are particularly welcome from students with experience in organic synthesis and/or organometallic chemistry.

If English if not your first language then you must fulfil our English Language criteria before the start of your studies. Details of accepted English Language qualifications for admissions can be found here:

https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements/postgraduate

How to apply

To apply please complete the online application and state the project title and supervisor name:

https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/programme/chemistry 

Supervisor

Dr Fabrizio Pertusati – People – Cardiff University

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive environment for all. We welcome applications from all members of the global community irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.