Postgraduate research project

Label free nucleic acid probes for the detection of disease related mRNA

Funding
Competition funded View fees and funding
Type of degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Entry requirements
2:1 honours degree View full entry requirements
Faculty graduate school
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Closing date

About the project

Early diagnostic detection using fast and sensitive methods are of great importance for disease prevention. Label free nucleic acid probes for the detection of disease related messenger RNA, non-coding RNA and micro-RNA is of topical interest. Nucleic acid chemistry, biophysical, biochemical and stat-of-the-art modern spectroscopic techniques will be used.

Fast and sensitive methods for the detection of RNA (messenger-RNA, micro-RNA and non-coding RNA) and relating them to different diseases are important in disease prevention. New methods using label free modified nucleic acid probes to avoide the background of biological samples in life cells would be of great importance. This project for diagnostic research on novel methods for RNA detection is highly interdisciplinary and will pioneer discoveries of novel diagnostic methods.

You'll join a dynamic and enthusiastic group at the School of Chemistry, Chemical Biology to work on an exciting project at the interface of chemistry and biology. You'll benefit from the outstanding facilities and vibrant environment provided by the department. You'll be carrying out research training in a world-leading research group using synthetic chemistry, oligonucleotides synthesis, characterisation, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) purification and different state of the art spectroscopic techniques for the detection of nucleic acids. 

Funding for this project is offered by the Centre for Doctoral Training in Complex Integrated Systems for Defence & Security (CISDnS), which will recruit motivated and inquisitive candidates at interconnected cohort training environment. Membership of CISDnS will provide the opportunity to be exposed and trained to handle the interdisciplinary challenges faced in the real-world.