Regulation of cardiac function by palmitoylation

About the Project

Heart failure is a global disease burden that affects >26 million people worldwide (>1million in the UK alone). Current treatments do not adequately reduce the severe consequences of the disease and the 5-year mortality rate for hospitalized patients with heart failure is ~75%. Clearly, there is an urgent need for a better understanding of how heart works in health and disease.

Proteins inside our cells are constantly modified to control how they work. One important modification, known as palmitoylation, involves conjugation of a fatty acid called palmitate to proteins. This process can change where proteins are located in the cell, how stable they are, and how effectively they function. Palmitoylation is very common and affects many proteins throughout the body, including several that are essential for the normal electrical activity and contraction of the heart. These proteins help the heartbeat in a coordinated and efficient way.

In heart failure, there is evidence that the “palmitoylating” enzymes – a family of integral membrane zDHHC-motif containing palmitoyl acyl transferases (zDHHC-PATs), that catalyze palmitoylation become altered. However, we still know very little about how palmitoylation controls normal heart function or how changes in this process may contribute to the development of heart failure.

This PhD project will investigate how palmitoylation regulates cardiac function in health and disease, with the aim of improving our understanding of the molecular changes that occur during heart failure.

This project will utilize mainly human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes, and a wide range of state-of-the-art tools including patch clamp recordings, calcium imaging, molecular biology, chemo-genetic tools, and proteomics to advance our understanding of the role of specific zDHHC-PAT(s) in cardiac electrophysiology, and their substrate network in the heart.

Supported through a Springboard grant from the Academy of Medical Sciences, the successful candidate will be supervised by Dr Caglar Gok (PI), Prof Claire Hills, and Prof Paul Squires within the Cardiovascular-Renal-Metabolic research team in the Diabetes, Metabolism and Inflammation theme at the School of Natural Sciences, University of Lincoln.

The student will join a dynamic and supportive research environment with opportunities to work closely with national and international collaborators. They will also have access to state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary expertise, and mentorship tailored to their scientific and career development.

Candidate Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a background in molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related field. Prior experience in electrophysiological techniques and/or protein biochemistry is desirable but not essential. Candidates available to start in September/October 2026 will be prioritised.

Entry Requirements

Due to the funding restriction, this is only available to applicants who are eligible to pay fees at the UK Home fee rate. A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area. A Master’s degree in relevant subject area is desirable, but not essential.

3-year fully funded studentship – tuition fee and stipend are covered for three years. Due to the funding restriction, this is only available to the applicants who are eligible to pay fees at the UK Home fee rate. Stipend is £20,780 per year for 3 years.