Scholarship: Fully funded
Degree: B.S. and M.S
Nationality: International Students
Location: UK
Application deadlines: Open
Scholarship Description:
Neuropeptides have fundamental roles in regulating physiological and behavioural processes in humans and other animals. Furthermore, neuropeptide receptors are known and potential novel targets for therapeutic drugs. For example, morphine exerts its powerful pain-relieving effects by mimicking the action of endogenous neuropeptides and binding to specific G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). There are several hundred genes encoding GPCRs in humans and many of these are activated by neuropeptides that regulate physiologically/clinically important processes. Neuropeptide receptors have long been recognised as attractive targets for therapeutics in humans and for pesticides in pest species. However, progress has been hindered by the lack of information on neuropeptide receptor structures. Recent advances in cryo-EM methods are providing the first insights into neuropeptide-receptor binding sites at the atomic level. Furthermore, with the development of novel AI-based protein structure prediction tools (Alphafold), there are exciting opportunities to investigate neuropeptide receptor structure in all animals.
Available Subjects:
- Using computational and experimental methods to predict and test novel neuropeptide-receptor partnerships
Eligibility criteria:
- For further details of the recent publications from the Fornili group, including publications by CSC-funded students, see: https://researchpublications.qmul.ac.uk/publications/staff/34522.html
Application Procedure:
Potential applicants should first contact Prof. Maurice Elphick by e-mail ([email protected]).
