Probing Viral Receptor-Glycan Interactions using Polyvalent Multifunctional Glycan-Nanoparticle

PGR-P-122

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Key facts

Type of research degree: PhD
Application deadline: Ongoing deadline
Country eligibility: International (open to all nationalities, including the UK)
Funding: Competition funded
Supervisors: Professor Dejian Zhou
Additional supervisors: Dr Yuan Guo
Schools: School of Chemistry

<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Summary</h2>

Multivalent viral receptor-glycan interactions are central to viral infection and immune response regulation. However, the underpinning structural mechanisms are often poorly understood, due to a lack of effective probes for such complex, multimeric and flexible proteins. Herein we will develop polyvalent glycan-nanoparticles (NPs) with tuneable glycan valency and flexibility as novel structural probes for two closely related, almost identical tetrameric receptors, DC-SIGN/R, which bind to the HIV/Ebola virus surface sugars to enhance viral infection.[1]<br /> <br /> However, how their four carbohydrate-recognition-domains (CRDs) are spatially arranged remain unclear. This information is key to their specific binding to viral surface glycans and viral trans-infection. We hypothesis that a perfect spatial match between the NP surface multiple glycans and protein binding sites will result in high affinity multivalent binding, allowing us to derive the CRD arrangement.[2]<br /> <br />

<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Full description</h2>

<p>This project includes four objectives:</p> <p>1) synthesise & characterise dihydrolipoic acid-PEG-sugar based multifunctional ligands;<br /> 2) produce site-specifically labelled DC-SIGN/R;<br /> 3) prepare & characterise polyvalent sugar coated NPs and study their binding affinity and specificity with DC-SIGN/R by FRET[3], and<br /> 4) investigate their inhibition of virus infection of DC-SIGN/R expressing host cells and correlate their binding affinity with viral inhibition potency. This study will not only yield important structural information about these vial receptors but also lead the development of potent multivalent glycan-nanoparticle inhibitors that can block the viral entry to target cells, thereby preventing deadly viral infections.</p> <p>Reference [1] Geijtenbeek, T. B. H., et al. (2000) Cell 100, 587; Guo Y, et al. (2004) Nature Struct. Mol. Biol. 11, 591. [2] Guo, Y., et al. (2016) Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 55, 4738. [3] Guo, Y., et al. (2017) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 139, 11833. [4] Budhadev et al. (2020) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 142, 18022.</p>

<h2 class="heading">How to apply</h2>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. Please state clearly in the Planned Course of Study that you are applying for <em><strong>PHD Chemistry FT</strong></em> and in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong><em>P</em></strong><em><strong>robing Viral Receptor-Sugar Interactions using Multifunctional Glycan-Nanoparticle </strong></em>as well as <a href="https://physicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/staff/199/professor-dejian-zhou">Professor Dejian Zhou</a> as your proposed supervisor.</p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p> </p>

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">Entry requirements</h2>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">English language requirements</h2>

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<h2 class="heading">Funding on offer</h2>

<p><strong>Self-Funding Students are welcome to apply.</strong></p> <p><strong>UK students</strong> - The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/209-leeds-doctoral-scholarships-2022">Leeds Doctoral Scholarships</a>, <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/118-lund-stephenson-clarke-scholarship-2022">Lund Stephenson Clarke</a>, <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/198-akroyd-and-brown-scholarship-2022">Akroyd & Brown</a>, <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/199-frank-parkinson-scholarship-2022">Frank Parkinson</a>, <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/205-henry-ellison-charles-brotherton-research-scholarship-2022">Henry Ellison-Charles Brotherton</a> and <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/204-boothman-reynolds-and-smithells-scholarship-2022">Boothman, Reynolds & Smithells</a> Scholarships are available to UK applicants.  <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary">Alumni Bursary</a> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds and the <a href="https://www.whiterose-mechanisticbiology-dtp.ac.uk/">BBSRC White Rose Mechanistic Biology DTP studentship</a>.</p> <p><strong>Non-UK students</strong> –The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/48-china-scholarship-council-university-of-leeds-scholarships-2021">China Scholarship Council - University of Leeds Scholarship</a> is available to nationals of China. The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/73-leeds-marshall-scholarship">Leeds Marshall Scholarship</a> is available to support US citizens.  <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary">Alumni Bursary</a> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds and the <a href="https://www.whiterose-mechanisticbiology-dtp.ac.uk/">BBSRC White Rose Mechanistic Biology DTP studentship</a>.</p>

<h2 class="heading">Contact details</h2>

<p>For further information regarding your application, please contact Doctoral College Admissions by email: <a href="mailto:maps.pgr.admissions@leeds.ac.uk">maps.pgr.admissions</a><a href="mailto:EMAIL@leeds.ac.uk">@leeds.ac.uk</a>, or by telephone: +44 (0)113 343 5057.</p> <p>For further information regarding the project, please contact Professor Dejian Zhou by email:  <a href="mailto:D.Zhou@leeds.ac.uk">D.Zhou@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>

<h3 class="heading heading--sm">Linked research areas</h3>