Novel Compounds for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
Loughborough UniversityLoughborough, United Kingdom
Course overview
At present there are no effective drugs for pancreatic cancer treatment. (+)-Grandifloracin has been shown to be a promising anti-austerity agent, able to suppress several pancreatic cancer cell lines to tolerate conditions of nutrient deprivation. However, it is extremely difficult to prepare in enantiomerically pure form and current methods only allow for side-chain diversification.
Our new technology (described in preliminary format in Angew. Chem. Int.
Ed. 2022, e202205278) will enable, for the first time, significant diversification of the core structure, enabling rapid biological screening for new treatments. Importantly, this approach can deliver gram quantities of material in high enantiomeric purity.
Hence, we have devised three converging objectives for the project spanning chemistry and biology outlined below: i) Synthesis of Grandifloracin analogues to explore chemical space. ii) Establish a Structure-Activity-Relationship (SAR) map against PANC-1 cell lines. iii) Identification of most active compounds from above and further synthesis and SAR screening. The research project will be focused on Organic Chemistry in the Synthesis Research laboratories and will provide training in modern organic chemistry techniques, working alongside PhD students and post-doctoral members of the Buckley Group. The project student will also be exposed to and trained in the biological screening techniques required to assess the compounds of interest.
94% of Loughborough’s research impact is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. REF 2021
Key highlights
- Synthesise novel (+)-Grandifloracin analogues targeting pancreatic cancer
- Builds on new technology published in Angewandte Chemie 2022
- Map structure-activity relationships against PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cell lines
- Training in modern organic chemistry techniques in Synthesis Research laboratories
- Work alongside PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in the Buckley Group
- Training in biological screening techniques to assess compound activity
Entry requirements
- Degree: 2:1 — 2:1
Scholarships
Alumni Bursary
10% of tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
Up to 10% of feesAlumni Discount
UK students: £1,500 tuition fee discount for one academic year. International students: £3,000 tuition fee discount for one academic year.
Care Leaver's Scholarship
Excellence Scholarships
UK students: £3,000 off tuition fees; International students: £6,000 off tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
International Sports Student Postgraduate Bursary
Our International Sports Student Postgraduate Bursary offers a £12,000 tuition fee discount (set against the tuition fees of your chosen postgraduate taught programme ONLY).
Up to £12,000London 10th Anniversary Award
£5,000 off tuition fees.
Up to £5,000Loughborough Business School Scholarship
£1,500 (UK students) and £3,000 (international students) off tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
MBA Progress with Purpose Scholarship
50% of tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
Up to 50% of feesQatari Ghanim Al-Muftah Excellence Scholarship
Careers this course leads to
- Medicinal Chemist
- Synthetic Organic Chemist
- Postdoctoral Research Associate
- Drug Discovery Scientist
- Pharmaceutical Research Scientist
- University Lecturer
Cost of study
UK/Home: £5,238 | International: £29,500
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to Loughborough University, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
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