Molecular characterization of galectin interaction with compound inhibitors to aid development of novel cancer therapeutic drugs

About this opportunity

Galectins are multifunctional carbohydrate-binding proteins that are expressed by many types of human cells such as epithelial and immune cells. Changes of galectin expression occur in most common types of cancers (for example, colon, breast, lung, prostate, pancreatic cancer and melanoma) and play divergent roles in cancer progression and metastasis via multiple mechanisms. Development of galectin-targeted cancer therapeutic drugs is a strategy currently being actively pursued by pharmaceutical companies. Research in our laboratories in Liverpool has recently identified a few novel galectin binding inhibitors that have potential to be developed as therapeutic drugs. This PhD project will use various biophysical and biological techniques to characterize the interaction of galectins with these novel binding inhibitors at molecular and atomic levels. The information obtained from this study will help to gain insight into the molecular interaction of galectins with these novel class of binding inhibitors. It will also aid the development of galectin-targeted novel therapeutic drugs for treatment of cancer and other galectin-associated diseases such as organ fibrosis.

Successful candidate will be provided with excellent opportunity in training in cancer biology and structural biology in this multi-disciplinary project. University of Liverpool has various state-of-art research facilities and some of them (for example, a super bright X-ray generator and a crystallization robot) are located in our laboratories. You’ll join a dynamic research team and work in a multi-disciplinary environment.

Who is this opportunity for?

This project is open to self-funded UK and international applicants. Sponsored or self-sponsored PhD applicants with good degree in any area of life/biological/medical science are welcome to apply. If you have the right qualifications, aptitude and desire, and have secured funding for PhD study, either from your government or other sources, you’re all welcome submit an application.

Further reading

1. Pang Y, Maxwell E, Sindrewicz-Goral P, Shapanis A, Morgan M and Yu LG. Galectin-3 Is a Natural Binding Ligand of MCAM (CD146, MUC18) in Melanoma Cells and Their Interaction Promotes Melanoma Progression. Biomolecules 2022,12:1451
2. Wan Y, Adair K, Herrmann A, Shan X, Xia L, Duckworth CA, Yu LG. C1GalT1 expression reciprocally controls tumour cell-cell and tumour-macrophage interactions mediated by galectin-3 and MGL with double impact on cancer development and progression. Cell Death Dis. 2023, 14(8):547
3. Newlaczyl AU and Yu LG. Galectin-3 – a jack-of-all-trades in cancer. Cancer Letters 2011, 313:123-8.

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this project.

Funding your PhD

If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.

There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.

Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.