Details
mRNA therapeutics currently have a market value of >$40 billion, which is estimated to grow to over $100 billion by 2026. In one of the greatest scientific accomplishments of our generation, mRNA technology has demonstrated the ability to change the timeline for developing and delivering a new vaccine from years to months. The potential of mRNA technology for rapid vaccine development has recently been highlighted by the successful development and approval of two mRNA vaccines for COVID-19. Importantly, this RNA-based approach holds promise for treatments beyond vaccines and infectious diseases to diverse biologics as treatments for cancer, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular conditions, and autoimmune diseases.
Circular RNAs (CircRNAs) represent an emerging, powerful mechanism for delivering therapeutics and vaccines due to their protein-coding potential and improved stability in comparison to their linear mRNA counterparts.
The development of new tools/technologies for the production and analysis of CircRNA therapeutics is critical to underpin manufacturing and the development of new CircRNA therapeutics/vaccines.
Training will be offered in a wide range of biochemical and analytical methods including mRNA synthesis, mRNA purification, mass spectrometry, agarose gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis and HPLC.
This PhD project sits within the UK-South East Asia Vaccine Manufacturing Research Hub (UK-SEA Vax Hub), funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Under the leadership of the University of Sheffield, the UK-SEA Vax Hub comprises four esteemed UK academic institutions and collaborates with 12 partners from South-East Asian countries. Distinguished by its multidisciplinary expertise in vaccine research and manufacturing, the hub serves as a dynamic platform for scientific innovation. The successful candidate will become an integral member of a highly skilled team of researchers within the hub, contributing to the development of cutting-edge solutions in the field of vaccine manufacturing.
For more information about the research work of Prof. Dickman and Dr. Kis, please visit:
For inquiries or additional information, please reach out to Prof. Mark Dickman ([email protected]).
Please see this link for information on how to apply: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/cbe/postgraduate/phd/how-apply. Please include the name of your proposed supervisor and the title of the PhD project within your application.
Applicants should have a first class or upper second class honours degree in chemistry, bioscience, biochemical engineering or a related discipline, or a merit or distinction in a suitable MSc. Experience working in a research laboratory is desirable. All applicants should have a strong interest in analytical science.
Funding Notes
This studentship covers the home tuition fees and a stipend for 3.5 years. Further information on tuition fees can be found here: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/new-students/tuition-fees/fees-lookup.