Targeting glycans on the outside of cells, as new therapeutics

Most drugs have intracellular targets (proteins etc). This creates a barrier to how to target a cell, and then get the drug inside the cell. There has been a vast amount of research into delivery strategies to get drugs into cells, but we want to ask ‘why not try to target the outside of the cell to induce a therapeutic effect’. This removes the need for complex delivery, intracellular trafficking which hinders drug delivery efforts.

We have shown that polymers/particles/small molecules can be engineered to target sugars (glycans) on the outside of the cells leading to cell death, and hence is a new therapeutic modality. This project will explore this concept further by targeting specific sugars on a range of cells (human and bacterial) to induce therapeutic function or trigger uptake. This is highly multidisciplinary but will have its based in synthetic chemistry to prepare the targeting units.

Eligibility

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science, biomedical or engineering related discipline.

Funding

At Manchester we offer a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level, to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers applying for competition and self-funded projects.

For more information, visit our funding page or search our funding database for specific scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

Before you apply

Before you apply you must contact Professor Gibson, including a 2 page (maximum) CV summarises your education, grades, topics studied, prior research experience and 2 referees.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status. 

We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles.