EASTBIO: Precision Molecule Editing to Accelerate Drug Discovery

A key challenge in drug discovery is the ability to carry out late-stage functionalisation and diversification of a drug scaffold, especially when this involves C-H activation. Such diversification holds the key to activity and bioavailability tuning. Enzymatic halogenation opens a door to selective C-H activation and diversification. We pioneered the concept of combining of enzymatic halogenation and chemical diversification in 2010, when few halogenase enzymes were known. Since this time, we have demonstrated the ability to mine and harness novel halogenases with the capability of late-stage functionalisation of complex and pharmaceutically relevant molecules. This studentship will work toward establishing enzymatic, chemical and synthetic biological tools for late-stage diversification and functionalisation of important antibiotics and anti-cancer molecules, and will lean on ML/AI approaches to expedite discovery.

The Goss group are a diverse, international and interdisciplinary team. With broad ranging skills in synthetic biology, informatics, organic synthesis, micro and molecular biology and protein biochemistry. Our research focuses on natural products with important medicinal properties. We are interested in understanding how biosynthetically intriguing motifs within natural products are assembled. From this vantage point we harness individual enzymes as convenient tools for organic synthesis, and employ a combination of synthetic chemistry and synthetic biology to harness entire biosynthetic pathways in order to enable expeditious access to libraries of medicinally relevant compounds. These libraries may be used to gain a greater understanding as to how the drug acts at the molecular level within the cell.

Enquiries from individuals with a passion and drive for research on antibiotics and anticancer agents, natural products in medicine, and engineering biology for sustainable processes, and who have shown exceptional talent in their first degrees in organic chemistry medicinal chemistry, biochemistry or a related discipline are warmly encouraged. Those who already have additional experience in utilising ML and AI in research are particularly encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

Application instructions can be found on the EASTBIO website- https://biology.ed.ac.uk/eastbio/how-to-apply

1)     Download and complete the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey.

2)     Download and complete the EASTBIO Application Form.

3)     Submit an application to St Andrews University through the Online Application Portal

Your online application must include the following documents:

–         Completed EASTBIO application form

–         2 References (to be completed on the EASTBIO Reference Form, also found on the EASTBIO website)

–         Academic Qualifications

–         English Language Qualification (if applicable)

Unfortunately due to workload constraints, we cannot consider incomplete applications. Please make sure your application is complete by 17^th January 2025

CONTACT

Queries on the project can be directed to the project supervisor.

Queries on the application process can be directed to Rachel Horn at pgrecbiology@st-andrews.ac.uk

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