PhD Studentship: Membrane Protein-Metabolite Interactions Important in Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism for Burning Fat as Heat. (CRICHTON_U24DTP)

Primary supervisor - Dr Paul Crichton 

Mitochondria in our cells harness energy through the breakdown of nutrients to produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. However, in specialised brown adipose tissue, popularised as ‘good fat’, the conventional process is ‘short circuited’ by a mitochondrial membrane protein, UCP1, which allows the tissue to burn off calories as heat. When engaged, the protein helps mammals fight cold temperatures and can contribute to calorie expenditure in humans to maintain metabolic health. Obesity and related conditions are a primary health concern in the UK and worldwide, affecting up to a third of the UK population and ~2 billion people globally. 

This is an exciting and timely opportunity to study the molecular processes of how UCP1 is activated. The project will focus on determining novel ligand interactions and cellular activation pathways of UCP1, taking advantage of recent major advances that we have made on the molecular nature of the protein. The successful candidate will be trained in an array of biochemical and molecular biology techniques (e.g. cloning, recombinant protein expression, membrane protein purification, liposome reconstitution assays, protein conformation analysis and novel ligand-binding assessment methodologies). The project will also include methods to assess UCP1 activity in cultured mammalian cells (e.g. respirometric measurements, genetic manipulations) to consolidate key findings on UCP1 regulation and energy metabolism. Supported by personal and professional development programmes, the post holder will gain a wealth of transferrable skills, which will be invaluable for scientific career progression. 

The appointee will be supervised by Dr Paul Crichton at the Biomedical Research Centre, where they will benefit from state-of-art-facilities and an excellent research environment provided by Norwich Medical School and the School of Biological Sciences, and surrounding Norwich Research Park. They will also gain valuable experience through exchange opportunities with the group’s national and international collaborators (e.g. at the Wenner Gren Institute/University of Stockholm). 

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will potentially be interviewed on 4, 5, and 6 June 2024.

For further information on eligibility and how to apply please visit here .

Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background. 

Entry requirements

At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1 or UK equivalence Master's degree. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category). 

This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NRPDTP) PhD studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2023/4 stipend rate: £18,622), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.