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Life, stress and ageing: what is the role of oxidative damage?
For 40 of the last 50 years, the Free Radical Theory of Ageing has benefitted from an attractive theoretical base, a substantial literature supported, almost certainly, by significant publication bias against negative results, and popular scientific and public acceptance. However its validity is coming under question.
Part of the problem with the body of evidence as it stands is the surprising paucity of studies which actually measure oxidative damage, and it is damage, after all, that is at the basis of the Free Radical Theory of Ageing.
Oxidative damage to proteins with age is extensive and is often correlated with ageing-relevant measures or interventions.
We will generate a comprehensive and systematic characterization of the role of protein oxidation in the life, the ageing, the functional decline and the death of the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. Drosophila share nearly all mechanisms of oxidant generation, damage and repair with humans, in whom oxidative stress is a significant factor in much age-related mortality. A technique published recently will allow us to experimentally answer the following questions:
1. To what extent, or how universal, is protein oxidation a feature of ageing in Drosophila?
2. What are the effects of natural genetic variation on protein oxidation and lifespan?
3. What is the relationship between protein oxidation and functional indices of health?
4. What naturally modulates protein oxidative damage levels? Environmental stressors, dietary variation, enforced physical activity.
5. What treatments (drugs, transgenics) reduce or reverse oxidative damage? Do they affect functional health and lifespan?
Funding Notes:
For non-EU students this funding covers fees and living expenses.
For UK/EU students this funding covers fees and living expenses up to a total of £10,000 per year.
Details and instructions at http://www.lancs.ac.uk/shm/study/doctoral_study/studentships/
Prospective candidates should have or expect to obtain a first class honours degree in a relevant area, or a good upper second with a first class result in their laboratory research project, or a good MSc or MRes.
References:
http://bit.ly/HWlMOo