Project details

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a collection of blood cancers including essential thrombocythemia, myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera. They feature the overproduction of myeloid lineage cells. For the most part, these diseases are driven by mutations in components of cytokine-signalling pathways. This results in constitutive cytokine receptor signalling and the unbridled proliferation of mutant cells. Protein-glycan interactions have emerged as an important driver of some MPNs (Jutzi JS, et al. Blood 2022, doi:10.1182/blood.2022015629, Nangalia J, N. Engl. J. Med. 2013, 369(25):2391-405)

The goal of this project is to explore several approaches to antagonising the protein-glycan interactions driving some MPNs. This project is suited to someone interested in biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology and/or drug discovery.

About our research group

The Goddard-Borger lab is focused on understanding how glycosylation impacts protein stability, trafficking, and function within the context of cancer, immunological disorders and infectious diseases. We are a diverse and multidisciplinary group that provides our team members with opportunities to develop skills in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology and drug discovery.

Some publications from the lab that provide a feel for our research include:

• Sharma M, et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2022, 119, e2116022119

• John A, et al. Nat. Chem. Biol. 2021, 17(4):428-37

• Mao R, et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143(32):12699-707

• Järvå MA, et al. Nat. Commun. 2020, 11(1):2265

• Speciale G, et al. Nat. Chem. Biol. 2016, 12(4):215–7