PhD Research Project

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Effect of novel dietary fibres and functional foods on gut satiety hormone release, gastrointestinal functions and appetite

Institution:

University of Liverpool

Dept/School/Faculty:

Institute of Integrative Biology

PhD Supervisor:

Prof S P Shirazi-Beechey

Co-Supervisor:

Prof J Halford

Application Deadline:

Applications accepted all year round

PhD Research Project

A 4-year PhD studentship is available to investigate “Effect of novel dietary fibres and functional foods on gut satiety hormone release, gastrointestinal functions and appetite. The project provides a unique opportunity to combine molecular and cellular studies with investigations using human participants.

The research will be carried out in the Epithelial Function and Development laboratories, Department of Functional and Comparative Genomics in collaborations with the Department of Experimental Psychology.

The candidate should have a first class or a top second class degree in physiological sciences and be a UK citizen. Experience in laboratory based physiological assays such as cell lines, hormone measurements and a good understanding of physiological and biochemical techniques will be desirable. In addition, the applicant should have excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as commitment to full time research and working in a team.

The project will examine the impact of potentially satiety-inducing dietary components on secretion of a number of gut hormones, and the involvement of specific nutrient sensing mechanisms, using a range of in vitro model systems. In addition, human intervention studies will be employed to determine the effect of these dietary ingredients on appetite, gastrointestinal function and gut hormone release in vivo.

Background:
Dietary components such as plant fibre and resistant starch are not hydrolysed in the small intestine. They reach the large intestine where they are fermented, by resident microflora to monocarboxylates, commonly referred to as short chain fatty acids (SCFA), acetate, propionate and butyrate. SCFA are absorbed across the epithelium of the large intestine providing energy for the host. Furthermore, SCFA are sensed by specific cell surface receptors FFAR2 and FFAR3. Activation of these receptors by SCFA appears to evoke release of hormones that control variety of physiological processes such as appetite, gut motility and gastric empting. These are supported by observations that exogenous administrations of several gut peptides such as glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY) and cholecystokinin (CCK) induce satiety and food intake. Furthermore, several reports have associated satiety effects with intake of fermentable fibres in human dietary studies.

Host laboratories: Epithelial Function and Development Group, located in the Department of Functional and Comparative Genomics has a major research interest in intestinal nutrient sensing, regulation of gastrointestinal functions and gut-brain communication. One of the key research interests of Department of Experimental Psychology is using nutritional interventions to control appetite and obesity, and identifying processes that drive eating behaviour.

For further information to contact Professor Soraya P Shirazi-Beechey, Epithelial Function and Development Group, spsb@liverpool.ac.uk

Training:
The student will be trained in a number of molecular and cellular techniques and their applications to human subjects. These include the use and maintenance of cells in culture, assays for G-protein coupled receptors, measurements of gut hormone release by ELISA, PCR based strategies, small interfering RNA (siRNA),western blotting, immunohistochemistry, nutritional intervention studies in human subjects, measurements of gastric emptying, gut motility and satiety. In addition student must undertake a number of specialised and training courses.

References:

1) Parnell JA and Weimaer RA (2009) Am. J. Clin. Nutr.
2) Sleeth ML et al. (2010) Nutr. Res. Res.
3) Willis HJ et al. (2009) Nutr. Res.

Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008 Results

Unit of Assessment: Biological Sciences				What is the RAE?
FTE Category A Staff Submitted	4*	3*	2*	1*	U/C
65	10%	30%	45%	15%	0%

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