PhD in Biology

The project aims to explore the potential of new warheads for the development of targeted covalent inhibitors for drug discovery. Targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) have vast potential but are currently limited by a lack of novel warheads and screening libraries. The project will involve the design and synthesis of new covalent fragment screening libraries incorporating novel hydrophobic warheads using a Fraglite design approach. This covalent fragment set will be designed for screening by both protein NMR and X-ray crystallography and will be screened against potential protein targets to identify drug discovery start points for high-value cancer targets. An iterative cycle of design-make-test will be used to optimise hit fragments identified through screening. The project will provide multidisciplinary training in experimental techniques across chemistry and biology, providing research training at the chemistry-biology interface.

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne. Start Date: 1st October 2026. Award Duration: 4 Years. Sponsor: EPSRC, Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals.