Ca2+ signalling, motility and acrosome reaction in human spermatozoa

[Ca2+]i signalling is used by sperm to regulate most if not all of their activities. Our work, which is being carried out in collaboration with the School of Medicine and the Assisted Conception Unit at the Birmingham Women's Hospital, is focused on Ca2+ signalling mechanisms that are activated by interaction of human sperm with the oocyte, with oocyte-derived factors and with cells of the female tract. We are particularly interested in the expression and regulation of Ca2+ stores and Ca2+ influx channels (both of which play crucial roles in all Ca2+-regulated sperm activites and potentially fail in male-factor infertility) and in the participation of membrane potential in generation of [Ca2+]i signals. Currently we are focussing on the effects of nitric oxide on sperm Ca2+ signals, particularly the role of s-nitrosylation. We are using [Ca2+]i imaging, fluorimetry, patch clamping and molecular techniques in these studies.
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To find out more about studying for a PhD at the University of Birmingham, including full details of the research undertaken in each school, the funding opportunities for each subject, and guidance on making your application, you can now order your copy of the new Doctoral Research Prospectus, at: www.birmingham.ac.uk/students/drp.aspx
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Please find additional funding text below. For further funding details, please see the ‘Funding’ section.

The School of Biosciences offers a number of UK Research Council (e.g. BBSRC, NERC) PhD studentships each year. Fully funded research council studentships are normally only available to UK nationals (or EU nationals resident in the UK) but part-funded studentships may be available to EU applicants resident outside of the UK. The deadline for applications for research council studentships is in January each year.

Each year we also have a number of fully funded Darwin Trust Scholarships. These are provided by the Darwin Trust of Edinburgh and are for non-UK students wishing to undertake a PhD in the general area of Molecular Microbiology. The deadline for this scheme is also in January each year.

The University of Birmingham also has a 'Doctoral Researcher Elite Scholarship Scheme' which aims to recruit the very best overseas PhD students to Birmingham - more details on this scheme can be found at http://www.graduateschool.bham.ac.uk/rsa/researchcouncils/drelite.shtml

Please note the only funding available for our PhD is via the Scholarships mentioned. All applicants should indicate in their applications how they intend to fund their studies. Any academically suitable applicant that does not indicate how they intend to fund their studies will be considered for the Darwin and/or the Elite Scholarships if not already indicated. We can only consider applicants who have their own funding or wish to apply for their own funding or are successful in gaining a Scholarship.