PhD Research Project

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Low density lipoprotein oxidation and atherosclerosis

Institution:

University of Reading

Dept/School/Faculty:

School of Biological Sciences

PhD Supervisor:

Dr D S Leake

Application Deadline:

Applications accepted all year round

Funding Availability:

Self-Funded PhD Students Only

PhD Research Project

The research in Dr David Leake’s group is concerned with atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of coronary heart disease and strokes. We are investigating how low density lipoprotein (LDL), which carries most of the cholesterol in blood, is oxidised (i.e. becomes ‘rancid’) and the damaging effects that oxidised LDL has on arterial cells. Atherosclerotic lesions are inflammatory sites and contain many macrophages. We have shown recently that LDL is oxidised within lysosomes in macrophages and that this oxidation is catalysed by iron at the lysosomal pH of 4.5. The ultimate aim is to use antioxidants targetted to lysosomes in humans to prevent atherosclerosis.

References:

Wen, Y. & Leake, D.S. (2007) Circ. Res. 100, 1337-1343. Low density lipoprotein undergoes
oxidation within lysosomes in cells

Satchell, L. & Leake, D.S. (2012) Biochemistry 51, 3767-3775. Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein by iron at lysosomal pH: Implications for atherosclerosis

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