MSc by Research: Reporting on destruction – developing plant-based assays for PROTAC degrader activity

About the Project

Protein Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) degraders are small molecules able to recruit a ubiquitin ligase to a protein of interest and promote degradation. This emerging technology is a powerful research tool for studying lethal genes or protein depletion at specific life stages. From a crop development and breeding perspective the ability to temporarily manipulate the protein state of an organism without requiring genetics would be a great enabling technology, speeding up development of new varieties and introducing climate change adaptive traits. This could be achieved through increasing recombination rates during meiosis to mobilize genes in recombinatorially silent regions of the genome, enable breaking down of species barriers for novel trait introduction or inducing polyploidy to boost yield. From a genetic modification perspective PROTACs could be used to break down the barriers that prevent genetic transformation of many species.

One barrier for plant research is the ability to test PROTACs in a high-throughput manner or characterize novel binders for ubiquitin ligases to be used in future PROTACs. This project aims to develop universal plant reporter lines for PROTAC effects able to be used in 96-well format for rapid screening of PROTAC libraries. Opportunities for modelling outcomes based on observed reporter behaviour to improve dynamic range or sensitivity for a next generation reporter are also possible.

You will join a well-resourced international team of plant biologists, biochemists, chemists and computation biologists and receive training in molecular biology, plant transformation, in vivo and in vitro qualitative and quantitative assays, plate-based luciferase reporter assays, SDS-PAGE and (quantitative) western blotting. Projects will be based at the James Hutton Institute and University of Dundee, providing a community of over 300 plant scientists and 700 life scientists, together with cutting edge facilities.

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. Piers Hemsley (pahemsley@dundee.ac.uk) in advance of application.

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.

Please see our website for further details on the programme and how to apply:

Life Sciences MSc by Research MSc by Research (Postgraduate) : Study : University of Dundee

Please note before submitting your application that you must list your top three project choices in the Research Proposal section of the application form.

When you complete your application form, you should include your top 3 project choices, 2 letters of reference, uploaded under "Other Information" > "Supporting documents" and a personal statement. Failure to do so will delay your application.

Please note when submitting an application, please note our intake deadlines on the ‘how to apply’ section of our website.