Doctoral scholarships

This project provides an annual stipend of £19,237. 

Project advert

This exciting project is suitable for an enthusiastic candidate. For some background note that poor management of asthma affects patient quality of life, causes excessive financial burden on health systems, and is linked with asthma deaths. The airway epithelium is the first defence barrier against exogenous respirable particles and pathogens, including influenza A H1N1 virus, which causes asthma exacerbations. The airway epithelium of asthma patients undergoes structural changes as part of airway remodelling, which combined with functional abnormalities contribute to asthma pathophysiology. Epigenetic factors in particular play important in asthma pathogenesis since neither genetic nor environmental factors are able to fully explain the aetiology of the disease.

Our recent work has shown distinct functions of a specific epigenetic factor, microRNA, in response to different models of respiratory infections in models of bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells (doi: 10.3390/cells13110919). Further, we showed that the expression of a specific microRNA and its downstream targets, with an important role in epithelial remodelling, differ in epithelial cells obtained from asthma patients after influenza infection (doi: 10.1186/s12931-018-0851-7). 

Project aims and objectives

The aim of this PhD project is to use state-of-art techniques in the laboratory to investigate epigenetic regulatory mechanisms including, microRNAs to understand molecular mechanisms responsible for airway epithelial abnormalities in asthma patients, both at baseline and after common respiratory infections, such as influenza infection.

During this project, the candidate will learn and use a wide range of novel techniques, including advanced and translational cell culture techniques and infection, epigenetics, genomics and protein detection techniques, ex vivo. Using these innovative approaches, we will detect the functional roles of microRNAs in epithelial cells, as a regulatory factor of airway epithelial remodelling in asthma patients, after influenza A H1N1 infection.

Specific requirements of the candidate

The successful candidate will join the Faculty of Science and Engineering’s brand-new facilities housed in the state-of-the-art £117 million Dalton Building. This cutting-edge environment is equipped with outstanding research labs and social spaces, providing an ideal setting for candidate development.

Qualification:

• Essential: A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree or equivalent) in a field related to Biomedical Science, Biosciences, Immunology or Virology.
• Desirable: MSc or MRes in a relevant discipline such as Cell and Molecular Biology, Immunology or Virology.

Skills and Experiences:

• Essential: Good laboratory skills. For example, competency in basic laboratory skills and aseptic cell culture techniques.
• Essential: Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Essential: Great interpersonal skills and organisational skills.
• Essential: Proactive and interested in learning and laboratory skills.
• Essential: Ability to work as a team member and independently.
• Essential: Good IT skills.
• Desirable: Familiarly with epithelial cell culture conditions and models.
• Desirable: Knowledge or experience in molecular biology techniques. For example, qPCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry.

Further information

Interested applicants should contact Dr Fatemeh Moheimani ([email protected]) for an informal discussion.

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Biological Sciences (or download the PGR application form).

Closing date: 11 November 2024. Expected start date: January 2025 for Home students and April 2025 for International students. 

Please note that Home fees are covered. Eligible International students will need to make up the difference in tuition fee funding. 

Please quote the reference: SciEng-FM-2024-BS