About the Project
Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership
The Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership (MIBTP) is a BBSRC funded Doctoral Training Partnership between Coventry University, the University of Warwick, the University of Birmingham, the University of Leicester, Aston University and Harper Adams University.
Students from a wide diversity of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Projects are available for excellent students in our Research Centre for Discoveries in Life Sciences
Project Outline
G-protein‑coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate many essential physiological processes and represent the largest class of drug targets. A major challenge in GPCR research is understanding how these receptors fold correctly, reach the cell surface, and activate the right signalling pathways. The calcitonin receptor‑like receptor (CLR) is a class B GPCR whose behaviour is shaped by its interaction with receptor activity‑modifying proteins (RAMPs), which determine how the receptor responds to hormones involved in migraine, cardiovascular regulation, lymphatic development and fertility.
A key unresolved problem is how structural changes in the receptor extracellular region, particularly the first extracellular loop (ECL1) influence CLR cell surface expression and signalling. ECL1 is a short but crucial region that helps the receptor adopt the correct structure, interact with plasma membrane lipids, and bind RAMPs. When ECL1 is disrupted, the consequences can be severe: deletion of a single amino acid (Val205) causes nonimmune hydrops fetalis, a lethal foetal developmental disorder. This highlights the importance to understand how ECL1 length and amino acid composition control receptor function.
Our lab has generated a panel of single, double and triple amino‑acid deletion mutants across ECL1. These engineered receptors allow us to systematically test how amino acid deletion and progressive loop shortening affects CLR folding, trafficking and signalling.
The outcome of the project will reveal how ECL1 architecture shapes CLR behaviour, from cell‑surface expression to activation of specific cell signalling pathways. By solving this fundamental research question in family B GPCR biology, the project will generate insights that could guide the development of next‑generation therapeutics targeting CLR‑related diseases.
Entry criteria
- Minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average
- An adequate proficiency in English must be demonstrated by applicants whose first language is not English. The general requirement is a minimum overall IELTS Academic score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the four sections, or the TOEFL iBT test with a minimum overall score of 95 with a minimum of 21 in each of the four sections.
Find out more about Coventry University's entry criteria.
More information
In order to apply for a Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership PhD you must:
Check your eligibility.
- Complete the ED&I form, which also acts as an expression of interest in MIBTP and helps us monitor our ED&I commitments at every step of the application process
- Our academic directors and the shortlisting panel do not have access to the EDI form and will not see your EDI responses
- Complete an application form
- Review the MIBTP Data Privacy PolicyLink to understand how we process your personal data.
To find out more information, contact Katie.Choudhry@coventry.ac.uk for administrative questions.
Visit the frequently asked questions page.
Funding Notes
Tuition fees and stipend