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Find a PhD Supervisor

Dr Irina Tikhonova

School of Pharmacy

Dr Irina Tikhonova

School of Pharmacy

The main focus of our research efforts is to facilitate understanding biomolecule interactions and function employing computational tools and, using the gained knowledge, to develop novel computer-aided drug design strategies. The current targets of our interests include human and parasite proteases, antiangiogenic proteins and the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).    

Recently, we have started to work on multiscale modelling of biomaterials for drug delivery applications. Here we are particular interested in molecular simulations of hydrogels to improve drug delivery via microneedles.

Contact info

  • View Academic Profile
  • i.tikhonova@qub.ac.uk
  • +44 (0)28 9097 2202

Research Interests

Open to PhD applications in the field of

  • Multiscale modelling of biomolecular systems (peptides, proteins, allosteric drugs and membrane)
  • Pharmaceutical materials (hydrogels and polymers)
  • Nanostructures to improve therapeutic targeting
  • Diagnostic applications. 

Make a PhD enquiry


Current Research Opportunities

  • Molecular Modelling and Pharmacology of G protein-coupled Receptors
  • Allosteric targeting of the prostaglandin receptor EP2 to promote neuroprotection against excitoxicity

Public outreach & key achievements

  • Development of a complex analysis of simulation data and simulation methodologies (Selvam et al, J Chem Inf Model, 2013)
  • Contribution to the development of a new concept in pharmacology (Grundmann et al, Cell Chem Bio, 2016)
  • Structural characterization of biased signalling in the CCK2 receptors (Magnan et al, J Am Chem Soc, 2013)
  • Structure-function studies of  cysteine and serine proteases (Smith et al, J Bio Chem, 2016)

 


Research students

PhD Title The role of dynamic conformational ensembles in substrate recognition, mechanism of inhibition and drug design against the malaria M1 aminopeptidase
Name Daniel Moore
Country Northern Ireland
Year of Study  2014-2017
   
PhD Title  Understanding the conformational dynamics of the genetic variants of the human FKBPL
Name Aaron Maquire
Country Northern Ireland
Year of Study  2016-2019 
   

 


Alumni: Where are they now

PhD Title Bioaminergic Receptors: The Role of a Dynamic Conformational Ensemble in Molecular Recognition, Activation and Drug Design
Name Dr Balaji Selvam
Year of Study 3
Country  India
Current Position Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
   

 

 


Discover More

  • Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Sciences

  • School of Pharmacy

  • Materials and Advanced Technologies for Healthcare 


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School of Pharmacy

Medical Biology Centre,
97 Lisburn Road,
Belfast, BT9 7BL. 

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Phone :+44 (0)28 9097 2086
E-mail: pharmacyinfo@qub.ac.uk

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