Research Fellow, molecular cell biology and/or vascular biology

Working with Dr Vas Ponnambalam & Dr Mike Harrison and a co-supervisor, Professor Ian Zachary (University College London) you will be looking at the role of ubiquitin ligases in angiogenesis

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) stimulates new blood vessel sprouting from pre-existing ones (angiogenesis). Understanding how VEGF-A regulates endothelial function is potentially useful for repairing damaged arteries after heart attacks.

The aim of this project is to characterise a ubiquitin-linked pathway that controls vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) levels, thus regulating VEGF-A-stimulated transduction and endothelial responses. We are hoping to provide a mechanistic understanding of how specific E1, E2 and E3 ubiquitin ligases program VEGFR2 ubiquitination and thus regulate endothelial function and angiogenesis. We will map specific domains in ubiquitin ligase enzymes that mediate VEGFR2 ubiquitination. Candidate ubiquitin ligases will be tested for functional roles in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis using transgenic zebrafish.

We are looking for a highly multidisciplinary and collaborative Postdoctoral Researcher who has a PhD (or close to completion) in molecular cell biology and/or vascular biology. Experience of cell culture, biochemistry, molecular biology, microscopy is essential as well as quantitative analysis of vascular phenomena.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Dr Vas Ponnambalam

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 3007, email: s.ponnambalam@leeds.ac.uk