>> Dear Colleagues >> >> Multi-targeting of aminoacyl tRNA synthetases: a paradigm shift in >> combatting AMR. >> Applications are invited for an enthusiastic postdoctoral research scientist >> to join a research group at the School of Life Sciences, University of >> Warwick supervised by a team headed by Dr David I Roper. The project, which >> has been recently funded by a Medical Research Council Innovation award, >> focuses on acquiring specific structural and biochemical data relevant to >> multi-targeting bacterial tRNA synthetases through a novel strategy. This >> position is available for up to 2 years and may involve interaction with >> outside academic medicinal chemistry and pharma industry colleagues. >> >> Our objective is to create an opportunity to discover a new class of >> dual-targeting antibiotics to directly address and minimize the development >> of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Specifically we have designed a novel >> assay methodology for tRNA synthetases that has allowed the identification >> of pairwise combinations of four bacterial tRNA synthetases that are able to >> bind non-cognate amino acids and have to utilize editing systems to prevent >> biosynthesis of incorrect aminoacyl-tRNA molecules required for protein >> synthesis. Inhibitors generated to these specific enzyme combinations would >> have the advantage of multi-targeting and thus avoid single gene rapid >> mutational selection for resistance. We have identified, that in order to >> advance this promising area, we need to generate a greater breadth of >> detailed X-ray crystal structural data on key enzymes from selected >> Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. The initial focus of this project >> will be to obtain this structural information followed by biochemical >> investigation of the proteins from an inhibitor discovery and design >> viewpoint. If successful, we will rapidly progress to investigate the >> design and discovery of multi-targetting compounds with medicinal chemistry >> and pharmaceutical company partners in future funding opportunities. >> We are looking for a postdoctoral fellow with a recent Ph.D. degree in a >> relevant field. The successful applicant should have proficiency in >> molecular cloning, protein expression, purification, crystallization, X-ray >> crystal structure determination in particular and should have a background >> in biochemistry or molecular biology discovery generally . >> >> The School of Life Sciences at Warwick is equipped with state-of-the-art >> protein expression and purification apparatus, including high-throughput >> facilities for crystallisation and visualisation as well as in-house x-ray >> generators with image plate detectors and regular synchrotron access in the >> UK and abroad. The wider laboratory is very well equipped with >> microbiological, biochemical and biophysical infrastructure and the >> successful applicant will join a wider team of highly motivated scientists >> working on a range of antimicrobial discovery and resistance projects. >> >> The closing date for application is 11th March 2015 for the post to start no >> later than June 1st 2015 Applications can be made at the following link >> through the University of Warwick website Research Fellow (75530-025) . The >> position will also be advertised through www.jobs.ac.uk: >> >> Yours >> >> Dave >> >> Dr David I Roper >> Reader in Structural Biology >> School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick >> Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK >> Tel 44 (0)24 7652 8369 >> Fax 44 (0)24 7652 3701 >> email [email protected] >> ResearcherID: A-2323-2011 >> 1. Conferences: 77th Harden Conference on Two component Signalling 24th-27th >> August 2015. Chesford Grange Hotel, Warwickshire, UK. >> 2. Great Wall Symposium: http://thegreatwall-symposium.org/ >> Websites: >> Research Group: www.warwick.ac.uk/go/ropergroup >> Peptidoglycan intermediates available through BACWAN: >> www.warwick.ac.uk/bacwan
