Engineering novel miniprotein modulators of calcium channels for neuropathic pain
Supervisor :
27th January 2027
Queen Mary University of London has partnered with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) to offer a joint scholarship programme to enable Chinese students to study for a PhD programme at Queen Mary. Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.
Applicants must:
- Be applying for CSC funding.
- Be a citizen and permanent resident of the People’s Republic of China and hold a Chinese passport.
- Satisfy all eligibility criteria set out by the CSC and must refer to the CSC website for full details.
- Apply to QMUL by 27th January 2027. Late applications will not be considered.
- Submit ALL required documentation, including evidence of their English Language ability ahead of the CSC application deadline.
CSC application rules differ slightly for domestic applicants (students applying from China) and overseas applicants (students applying from overseas). Therefore, ALL applicants are advised to see the CSC website for full details on eligibility and conditions on the scholarship.
Project Overview
Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) are essential for neuronal signalling, and their auxiliary α2δ-1 subunit is an established therapeutic target for neuropathic pain, including for drugs such as gabapentin and pregabalin (1). Our laboratory has discovered a novel mechanism regulating calcium channel function through post-translational maturation of α2δ subunits (2,3). Building on this discovery, we have recently developed first-in-class inhibitory miniproteins targeting this process (4), opening new opportunities for therapeutic modulation of calcium channels in pain.
This PhD project aims to identify the endogenous protein interactions controlling α2δ-1 maturation and exploit them to develop a new generation of selective calcium channel modulators. The student will combine proteomics, biochemical and cell biology methods to identify key regulatory partners, then use AI-guided protein modelling to characterise their binding interfaces and design novel miniproteins that compete with these interactions to modulate calcium channel function.
Candidate miniproteins will first be screened for their ability to inhibit calcium currents in mammalian cell lines, assessing potency and selectivity using automated QPatch electrophysiology, available to our laboratory through the BBSRC-funded LAPCEN network. The most promising channel modulators will be further characterised using manual patch-clamp recordings, imaging and biochemical approaches, with support from an MRC-funded postdoctoral researcher in our laboratory. Their effects on endogenous channels will be evaluated in rodent and human iPSC-derived sensory neurons and models of neuropathic pain through established collaborations.
The student will join an established research programme supported by a recently awarded MRC grant (2027–2030), with opportunities to collaborate with experts in protein engineering, structural biology and neuroscience. The project offers interdisciplinary training in ion-channel biophysics, molecular structure–function studies and early-stage therapeutic development.
Research Environment
Dr Ivan Kadurin’s laboratory at QMUL’s Blizard Institute offers an established MRC-funded research environment (2027–2030), with national and international collaborations in protein engineering, structural biology and neuroscience.
The student will receive hands-on training in proteomics, biochemistry, cell biology and electrophysiology, with additional support from an MRC-funded postdoctoral researcher in Kadurin laboratory. Expertise in AI-guided structural protein analysis is available within the laboratory and through collaboration in QMUL with Dr Mathew Day (SBBS). Dr Alex Clark (Blizard Institute) will provide co-supervision and expertise in human iPSC-derived sensory neurons and neuropathic pain models. Automated QPatch electrophysiology is available through the BBSRC-funded LAPCEN network. For more information, visit kadurinlab.org.
School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences
Entry Requirements
We are looking for candidates who have, or expect to receive, a first or upper-second class honours degree and a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Biophysics or Computational Biology. Experience in molecular and cell biology, protein biochemistry, proteomics, electrophysiology or computational protein analysis would be advantageous but is not essential. We particularly welcome motivated candidates with an interest in molecular mechanisms of ion-channel regulation, protein engineering and experimental research. Training in specialist techniques will be provided.
Informal enquiries about the project are highly encouraged can be sent to Ivan Kadurin at i.kadurin@qmul.ac.uk.
You must meet the IELTS requirements for your course and upload evidence before CSC’s application deadline, ideally by 17th March 2027. You are therefore strongly advised to sit an approved English Language test as soon as possible, where your IELTS test must still be valid when you enrol for the programme.
Find out more about our entry requirements here.
How to Apply
Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 27th January 2027 for consideration. Please identify yourself as a ‘CSC Scholar’ in the funding section of the application.
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
- Your CV
- Personal Statement
- Evidence of English Language e.g.) IELTS Certificate
- Copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates
- References
Find out more about our application process on our SBBS website.
Informal enquiries about the project are highly encouraged can be sent to Ivan Kadurin at i.kadurin@qmul.ac.uk. Admissions-related queries can be sent to sbbs-phd-admissions@qmul.ac.uk
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview by the supervisor. If you are successful in your QMUL application, then you will be issued an QMUL Offer Letter, conditional on securing a CSC scholarship along with academic conditions still required to meet our entry requirements.
Once applicants have obtained their QMUL Offer Letter, they should then apply to CSC for the scholarship with the support of the supervisor.
For further information, please go to the QMUL China Scholarship Council webpage.
See Also