Dear
all,
A
3-year PhD position is available within the IMMUDOCS doctoral pilot project in my lab at the Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland:
Expanding Toolbox for Targeted Oncotherapy: Intercepting Clever-1.
Our
research focuses on the structural, biochemical and biophysical analyses of proteins involved in inflammation, infection and cancer.
We use a wide range of techniques including
molecular biology, protein expression and purification, biochemical and biophysical protein interaction studies, X-ray crystallography,
SAXS
and
Cryo-EM.
The open PhD position is part of a larger interdisciplinary
effort towards developing Clever-1-targeted immunotherapy. Novel cancer treatments complementary to the immune checkpoint targeting therapies are urgently needed to combat currently non-treatable cancers. Macrophage-targeted therapies, which break the immune-tolerance
of tumors and assist activating host immune defense mechanisms, belong to these innovative treatments. Targeting Clever-1 with anti-Clever-1 antibody bexmarilimab interferes with the immunosuppressive properties of macrophages and slows the spread of cancer.
As part of the project, we will determine the 3D structure for Clever-1 and elucidate its interactions with bexmarilimab at the atomic level to uncover inhibitory epitope. The obtained results will enable structure-based drug design of small molecular inhibitors
expanding the toolbox for Clever-1-targeted oncotherapy.
We are looking for a self-motivated
PhD student
with good communication skills and a strong interest in structural biology, protein biochemistry, biophysics and structure-function relationship and a previous exposure to relevant research areas during their master education.
Applicants must have accomplished
their Master’s studies (or equivalent) on July 31 2024.
The
application must be made online
before April 15th, 2024:
https://abo.rekrytointi.com/paikat/index.php?jid=780&key=&o=A_RJ&rspvt=ba2lzeepo68kg04g0kgsw044o80kccg
Do not hesitate to contact
me if you have any questions.
Best wishes,
Tiina
**********************************************
Tiina A. Salminen, Professor
Head of
Subject Cluster
for Biochemistry and
Cell Biology
Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory and InFLAMES Research Flagship Center
Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Abo Akademi University
Tykistökatu 6A
FI-20520 Turku
Finland