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Two 4 year PhD studentships in Structural Biology offered with a very generous stipend as part of an attractive package to commence in October 2006. Applications are invited for 2 studentships within the Section of Structural Biology at the Institute of Cancer Research associated with the laboratories of Dr Ed Morris and Dr Jon Wilson. The Institute of Cancer Research is a world-class cancer research organisation with HEFCE RAE ratings of international excellence across all of its research programmes. The Section of Structural Biology, located at in Fulham Road, Chelsea, focuses on structural and biochemical studies of proteins and complexes of importance in the aetiology and treatment of cancer. To this end the Section has established expertise and state-of-the-art facilities for techniques ranging from molecular biology and recombinant expression, through protein production and crystallisation, to X-ray crystallography and molecular modelling, cryo-electron microscopy and image analysis. Applicants should hold or be expected to obtain a first or upper second class bachelors degree in biological or physical sciences (or an international equivalent). The studentships are available to both UK and non-UK citizens. The projects are as follows:- STRUCTURAL STUDIES OF THE COP9 SIGNALOSOME COMPLEX (Dr Ed Morris). The COP9 signalosome complex (CSN) appears to function as a regulatory component of the ubiquitin-proteasome system. The CSN complex, which has a molecular mass of ~450 kDa, consists of 8 protein subunits which are each in part homologous in sequence to protein subunits of the lid subcomplex of the 19S regulatory complex of the 26S proteasome. The PhD project will focus on the use of electron microscope based methods to determine the structure of the CSN complex and to characterise higher order complexes formed between CSN and the 26S proteasome. STRUCTURAL STUDIES OF THE CHROMATIN MODIFICATION COMPLEX SET1 (Dr Jon Wilson) The cellular form of DNA is in a complex with histone proteins to make nucleosome building blocks that are in turn packed together to form chromatin. The structural reorganisation of chromatin is a critical element in the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression. This project will use biophysical and structural methods, including x-ray crystallography, to study a multi-protein complex involved in the network of post-translational modification of histones involved in the control of chromatin configuration. Further details of the projects are given on the Institute of Cancer Research website, http://www.icr.ac.uk:8080/studentship/projectList.do which should be used for formal applications. Informal enquiries may be addressed to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
