TC8 - Elucidating the physiological role of secretory pathway phosphorylations of key players of the complement pathway.

• Funding – Tricia Cohen Prize funded 4-year studentship, providing tuition fees, training/research costs and an annual tax free stipend of £21,342
• Start Date – September 2026
• Applicants are expected to have a degree (equivalent of Honours or Masters) in a relevant discipline.

In the 1990s activated platelets were reported to release an unidentified inhibitor-resistant protein kinase outside the cell which phosphorylated multiple circulating plasma proteins including complement components and coagulation factors. In fact, preliminary data suggested that the phosphorylated complement components exhibited increased opsonization of immune complexes and higher binding efficiencies to the complement machinery. While secreted proteins have been known to be phosphorylated since the early 1880s, the identity of the kinase remained enigmatic for over 130 years. In 2012, a single kinase was shown to phosphorylate multiple substrates including the complement and coagulation factors. The preliminary data till date suggest that the kinase directly phosphorylates multiple complement components and coagulation factors stoichiometrically both in biochemical assays and in cells. Interestingly, platelets have rudimentary secretory pathway including Golgi which harbour the kinase. The key aims of the studentship are to:

1. Understand how phosphorylation of coagulation and complement components alter their biochemical activities.
2. Establish the effect of the secreted kinase on complement activity in human platelets and plasma
3. Elucidate how platelet activation drives physiological roles of the secreted kinase using quantitative phosphoproteomics and activity assays from primary human and murine blood samples.

The successful candidate will work closely with both primary and second supervisors. The candidate will be part of regular joint meetings with collaborators across UK/EU. The candidate will also have the chance to travel to Sweden to carry out short-term trainings ad hoc with the external

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research.  We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.