1. 实验室简介
Micklefield课题组最近搬迁至伦敦帝国理工学院。为支持正在进行的研究，实验室现招收对化学与生物学前沿交叉领域研究感兴趣的博士生。欢迎拥有化学、生物化学、分子生物学或相关领域背景的同学加入。
Micklefield课题组致力于开发更可持续的仿生方法，用于治疗和其他应用中的分子构建。实验室拥有多元化的研究理念，以高度跨学科的方法解决化学与生物学交界处的各种挑战。我们的团队结合有机化学、酶学、分子微生物学和遗传学等知识和技术，开发实现目标分子可持续合成的途径。主要研究方向包括：1）天然产物生物合成与合成路径工程：开发新型生物活性天然产物，特别是新型抗生素，以应对抗菌素耐药性（AMR）及治疗被忽视的疾病；2）生物催化与化学-酶促联合催化：酶的发现、表征与工程，用于酶促合成；结合化学催化与生物催化，实现药物和其他高价值产品的高效合成；3）核酸化学与生物学：开发核酸类治疗药物（NAT）的新合成途径及功能工具，如核酸开关和适配体。
更多关于实验室文化和研究的信息，请访问：
实验室官网：
https://www.micklefieldlab.chemistry.manchester.ac.uk
YouTube视频：
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPUNhcfKtKU&t=13s
YouTube视频：
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwvvTEa0ehk
课题组部分代表性文章：
Cryptic enzymatic assembly of peptides armed with β-lactone warheads. G. Xu, D. Torri, S. Cuesta-Hoyos, D. Panda, L. R. L. Yates, R. Zallot, K. Bian, D. Jia, A. I. Iorgu, C. Levy, S. A. Shepherd & Jason Micklefield* Nature Chem Biol 2024. Also see research briefing - Enzymatic synthesis of peptide therapeutics and behind the paper blog (https://go.nature.com/3LrIXUx).
Merging Enzymes with Chemocatalysis for Sustainable Amide Bond Synthesis. L. Bering, E. J. Craven, S. A. Sowerby Thomas, S. A. Shepherd & J. Micklefield* Nature Commun. 2022, 13, 380. Also see news highlights: Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN) “Enzyme and copper combo builds amide bonds,” Nature Chemical Biology “Greener amide bonds,” Nature Reviews Chemistry “Collaborative Catalysis,” and behind the paper (https://go.nature.com/3FCmSxf)
Discovery, Characterisation and Engineering of Ligases for Amide Synthesis. M. Winn, F. Wang, M. Rowlinson, L. Bering, D. Francis, C. Levy &
J Micklefield Nature 2021, 593, 391–398. Shareable link (https://rdcu.be/cmdd4). Also see behind the paper (https://go.nature.com/3uQTAqp).
Gene editing enables rapid engineering of complex antibiotic assembly lines. W. L. Thong, Y. Zhang, Y. Zhuo, K. J. Robins, J. K. Fyans, A. J. Herbert, B. J. C. Law & J. Micklefield Nature Commun 2021, 12, 6872. Shareable link (https://rdcu.be/cB1FR). Behind the paper (https://go.nature.com/3uQTAqp).
Programmable late-stage C−H bond functionalization enabled by integration of enzymes with chemocatalysis. E. J. Craven, J. Latham, S. A. Shepherd, I. Khan, A. Diaz-Rodriguez, M. F. Greaney & J. Micklefield Nature Catalysis 2021, 4, 385–394. Also see behind the paper (https://go.nature.com/3apWdqC).
Engineering orthogonal methyltransferases to create alternative bioalkylation pathways. A. J. Herbert, S. A. Shepherd, V. A. Cronin, M. R. Bennett, R. Sung & J Micklefield Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 2–9. Also see Nature Chemistry News & Views (https://rdcu.be/cmde1)
Avitamin K-dependent carboxylase is involved in antibiotic biosynthesis. B. J. C. Law, Y. Zhuo, D. Francis, M. Winn, Y. Zhang, M. Samborskyy, A. Murphy, L. Ren, P. F. Leadlay & J. Micklefield. Nature Catalysis 2018, 1, 977-984. Also see Nature Catalysis News & Views (https://rdcu.be/bdd6j) and Nature Research Community News (https://go.nature.com/2r4Smbu)
Integrated Catalysis Opens New Arylation Pathways via Regiodivergent Enzymatic C-H Activation. J Latham, HH Sharif, JM Henry, BRK Menon, SA Shepherd, MF Greaney, J.Micklefield Nature Commun. 2016, 7, 11873
2. 关于帝国理工学院
伦敦帝国理工学院是世界顶尖大学，2025年QS排名显示其位列英国和欧洲第一，全球第二。学校为研究与创新提供了无与伦比的环境。帝国理工化学系位于位于伦敦White city的尖端分子科学研究中心（MSRH），在跨学科研究领域处于前沿。拥有先进设施、多元的国际化社区和强大的产业联系，帝国理工为博士生提供了解决全球挑战的绝佳机会，涵盖从工程、自然科学到医学和商业的多个领域。其协作氛围以及接触世界级导师的机会，确保学生在实现学术和职业目标的同时享受伦敦这一全球最具活力的城市之一的生活。
3. 关于Jason Micklefield教授
Jason Micklefield教授于1993年在剑桥大学获得有机化学博士学位，师从Alan R Battersby爵士教授。随后，他获得NATO博士后奖学金（1993–1995），在美国华盛顿大学Heinz G Floss教授的实验室研究多种生物合成途径及酶的机制。1995年，Jason被任命为伦敦大学伯贝克学院有机化学讲师，1998年转至曼彻斯特大学，2008年晋升为化学生物学教授。2024年，他回到伦敦，担任帝国理工学院现任职务。此外，Jason还曾担任上海华东理工大学客座教授、EPSRC综合催化博士培训中心（iCAT）联合主任及BBSRC天然产物发现与生物工程网络（NPRONET）主任。他多次获得重要奖项，包括ERC Advanced Grant, Natural Product Reports (NPR) Lecture Award, RSC Bader Award, RSC Interdisciplinary Prize, RSC Horizon Prize及Rita and John Carnforth Award等。
4. 招生信息
CSC-帝国理工联合博士项目
链接：
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/postgraduate-taught/grants-scholarships/international-scholarship-collaborations/csc/
要求：具有强烈的科学好奇心，并能胜任跨学科领域中工作；申请人需已获得或将于2025年获得科学或工程学科相关的硕士学位，成绩优异；在知名期刊上发表过文章的申请人将具备显著优势；申请人还需有符合资格的英语语言水平证明。无论申请人是在中国境内还是海外学习，均可申请。曾有海外学习经历（包括英国）的学生也符合申请资格。
5. 联系方式
有意向的同学请于2025年1月1日前将个人简历、成绩单以及两名推荐人的信息或已签名的学校官方推荐信发送至邮箱：j.micklefield@imperial.ac.uk。
英文原文如下：
Recruitment Information: Prof. Jason Micklefield’s Chemical Biology Lab at Imperial College, London, UK.
1. Lab Introduction
The Micklefield Lab has recently relocated to Imperial College, London. To support ongoing research, the lab is recruiting PhD students interested to undertake cutting-edge research at the Chemistry-Biology. Applicants with backgrounds in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or related areas, are encouraged to apply.
The Micklefield Lab develop more sustainable bio-inspired ways to build molecules for therapeutic and other applications. The lab has an eclectic philosophy and is highly interdisciplinary, tackling diverse challenges at the Chemistry-Biology interface. Our team exploit techniques and knowledge from organic chemistry and enzymology through to molecular microbiology and genetics to develop sustainable routes to target molecules. The main research themes include: 1) Biosynthesis and biosynthetic pathway engineering providing novel bioactive natural products particularly new antibiotics to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and treat neglected diseases; 2) Biocatalysis & integrated catalysis encompassing enzyme discovery, characterisation & engineering for enzymatic synthesis. Merging chemo- and biocatalysis for telescoping routes to pharmaceuticals and other valuable products; 3) Nucleic acids chemistry and biology, including developing new routes to nucleic acid therapeutics (NAT) and functional tools such as riboswitches and aptamers.
To learn more about the Micklefield Lab culture and research see:
https://www.micklefieldlab.chemistry.manchester.ac.uk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPUNhcfKtKU&t=13s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwvvTEa0ehk
Selected publications:
Cryptic enzymatic assembly of peptides armed with β-lactone warheads. G. Xu, D. Torri, S. Cuesta-Hoyos, D. Panda, L. R. L. Yates, R. Zallot, K. Bian, D. Jia, A. I. Iorgu, C. Levy, S. A. Shepherd & Jason Micklefield* Nature Chem Biol 2024. Also see research briefing - Enzymatic synthesis of peptide therapeutics and behind the paper blog (https://go.nature.com/3LrIXUx).
Merging Enzymes with Chemocatalysis for Sustainable Amide Bond Synthesis. L. Bering, E. J. Craven, S. A. Sowerby Thomas, S. A. Shepherd & J. Micklefield* Nature Commun. 2022, 13, 380. Also see news highlights: Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN) “Enzyme and copper combo builds amide bonds,” Nature Chemical Biology “Greener amide bonds,” Nature Reviews Chemistry “Collaborative Catalysis,” and behind the paper (https://go.nature.com/3FCmSxf)
Discovery, Characterisation and Engineering of Ligases for Amide Synthesis. M. Winn, F. Wang, M. Rowlinson, L. Bering, D. Francis, C. Levy &
J Micklefield Nature 2021, 593, 391–398. Shareable link (https://rdcu.be/cmdd4). Also see behind the paper (https://go.nature.com/3uQTAqp).
Gene editing enables rapid engineering of complex antibiotic assembly lines. W. L. Thong, Y. Zhang, Y. Zhuo, K. J. Robins, J. K. Fyans, A. J. Herbert, B. J. C. Law & J. Micklefield Nature Commun 2021, 12, 6872. Shareable link (https://rdcu.be/cB1FR). Behind the paper (https://go.nature.com/3uQTAqp).
Programmable late-stage C−H bond functionalization enabled by integration of enzymes with chemocatalysis. E. J. Craven, J. Latham, S. A. Shepherd, I. Khan, A. Diaz-Rodriguez, M. F. Greaney & J. Micklefield Nature Catalysis 2021, 4, 385–394. Also see behind the paper (https://go.nature.com/3apWdqC).
Engineering orthogonal methyltransferases to create alternative bioalkylation pathways. A. J. Herbert, S. A. Shepherd, V. A. Cronin, M. R. Bennett, R. Sung & J Micklefield Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 2–9. Also see Nature Chemistry News & Views (https://rdcu.be/cmde1)
Avitamin K-dependent carboxylase is involved in antibiotic biosynthesis. B. J. C. Law, Y. Zhuo, D. Francis, M. Winn, Y. Zhang, M. Samborskyy, A. Murphy, L. Ren, P. F. Leadlay & J. Micklefield. Nature Catalysis 2018, 1, 977-984. Also see Nature Catalysis News & Views (https://rdcu.be/bdd6j) and Nature Research Community News (https://go.nature.com/2r4Smbu)
Integrated Catalysis Opens New Arylation Pathways via Regiodivergent Enzymatic C-H Activation. J Latham, HH Sharif, JM Henry, BRK Menon, SA Shepherd, MF Greaney, J.Micklefield Nature Commun. 2016, 7, 11873
2. About Imperial College
Imperial College, London is a world-leading university, ranked 1stin the UK and Europe, and 2nd in the world (QS 2025, https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings). It offers an unparalleled environment for research ana innovation. The Department of Chemistry at Imperial College London, located in the state-of-the-art Molecular Sciences Research Hub (MSRH) in White City, is at the forefront of interdisciplinary research. With cutting-edge facilities, a vibrant international community, and strong industry connections, Imperial provides PhD students the opportunity to tackle global challenges in fields ranging from engineering and natural sciences to medicine and business. Its collaborative atmosphere and access to world-renowned supervisors ensure students are empowered to achieve their academic and professional goals while enjoying one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
2. About Prof. Jason Micklefield
Professor Jason Micklefield graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1993 with a PhD in organic chemistry, working with Professor Sir Alan R Battersby. Following this, he was awarded a NATO postdoctoral fellowship (1993–1995) to investigate various biosynthetic pathways and enzyme mechanisms within the laboratory of Professor Heinz G Floss at the University of Washington, USA. In 1995, Jason was appointed Lecturer in Organic Chemistry at Birkbeck College, University of London, before moving to Manchester in 1998. He was promoted to Professor of Chemical Biology at the University of Manchester in 2008. In 2024 he moved back to London, to take up his current position at Imperial College. Jason also served as Visiting Professor at the East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) in Shanghai, Co-Director of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Integrated Catalysis (iCAT) and as Director of the BBSRC Natural Product Discovery and Bioengineering Network (NPRONET). He was the recipient of various awards including an ERC Advanced Grant, Natural Product Reports (NPR) Lecture Award, RSC Bader Award, RSC Interdisciplinary Prize, RSC Horizon Prize, the Rita and John Carnforth Award.
3. Recruitment Information
CSC-Imperial Joint PhD Program
Link:https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/postgraduate-taught/grants-scholarships/international-scholarship-collaborations/csc/
Candidates are expected to have strong scientific curiosity, and a desire to work in a multidisciplinary environment. Applicant should have, or expected to achieve, a Master’s degree in 2025 in a relevant science or engineering related discipline, with top grades. Applicants with publications in reputable journals that demonstrate their academic background will have a significant advantage. Applicant must have an approved English language qualification to be eligible.
Applicants can either be resident in China at the time of application or studying overseas. Students with prior experience of studying overseas (including in the UK) are eligible to apply.
4. Contact Information
Interested candidates are encouraged to send their CV, Transcripts, and details of two referees (or provide two references on signed University paper) to email j.micklefield@imperial.ac.uk by the 1st of Jan 2025.
