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Multi-drug resistance (MDR) in Gram-negative bacteria has been identified as a major worldwide public health concern.
- Summary of the project
- Eligibility criteria
- Readings
- Contact the research team leader
- How to apply
- Scholarships
Summary of the project
Multi-drug resistant bacteria are responsible for approximately 700,000 deaths per year, a figure which could reach 10 million by the year 2050. This project focuses on developing inhibitors of an endotoxin modifying enzyme that mediates antibiotic resistance by masking bacteria against both the human immune system and important classes of antibiotics. A structure guided approach will be used to develop novel therapeutic agents to treat MDR bacterial infections.
Project Goals:
- Elucidate structures of the enzyme in complex with small molecule inhibitors.
- Determine the binding affinities of the inhibitors for the enzyme.
- Use the structural information to optimize the inhibitors for enhanced potency.
Through this project you will:
- acquire skills in recombinant protein expression and purification.
- learn all aspects of protein crystallography including crystallization, X-ray diffraction data collection and structure determination.
- obtain expertise in other biochemical and biophysical methods used to characterize the protein and its interactions with small molecule inhibitors.
The project is multidisciplinary in that it provides opportunities for skills in structural biology, protein chemistry, biophysics and computational chemistry. You will work as a park of a team with medicinal chemists and microbiologists.
Eligibility criteria
General UWA PhD entrance requirements can be found on the Future Students website.
Requirements specific to this project:
- A knowledge of proteins including their basic structures and function is important. Biochemistry laboratory skills is also required.
Reading
- Anandan, A., Evans, G.L., Condic-Jurkic, K., O’Mara, M.L., John, C.M., Phillips, N.J., Jarvis, G.A., Wills, S.S., Stubbs, K.A., Moraes, I., Kahler, C.M. & Vrielink, A. (2017). Structure of a lipid A phosphoethanolamine transferase suggests how conformational changes govern substrate binding. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 114, 2218-2223.
Contact the research team leader
Once you have ensured that you meet the eligibility criteria and are ready to discuss a proposal, contact the research team leader to identify a potential supervisor.- Research team leader: Professor Alice Vrielink
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- Our lab looks at the three dimensional structures of proteins implicated in disease. We are focused on proteins that act as virulence factors causing antibiotic resistance as well as proteins that are important in causing cancer and tumorigenesis. We characterize the structures of these proteins and study their interactions with small molecule inhibitors as part of the process of structure guided drug design.
How to apply
After you have discussed your project with the research team leader you should be in a position to proceed to step two of the UWA application process: 'Lodge an application'.
Different procedures apply to domestic and international students.
Scholarships
Domestic students
All domestic students may apply for Research Training Program and University Postgraduate Awards (UPA) scholarships.
The Australian Government's Endeavour Awards and Scholarships are available to Australian applicants for study in participating countries and regions.
International students
A range of scholarships are available from international organisations and governments. The full list, organised by country, is available on the Future Students website.
In addition, all international students may apply for International Research Training Program scholarships.
The Australian Government's Endeavour Awards and Scholarships are available to international applicants from participating countries and regions.
Indigenous students
Indigenous students are encouraged to apply for Indigenous Postgraduate Research Supplementary Scholarships.
Forrest Foundation scholarships
All international and Australian students who wish to study towards the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at The University of Western Australia may apply for Forrest Scholarships.
University information
CRICOS Code: 00126G
