PhD Research Project

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Localisation and characterisation of stem cells in the ageing human hair follicle

Institution:

University of Manchester

Dept/School/Faculty:

Institute of Inflammation and Repair

PhD Supervisor:

Prof R Paus

Co-Supervisor:

Dr I Haslam

Application Deadline:

No more applications being accepted

Funding Availability:

Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

PhD Research Project

The aim of this fully-funded 4-Year PhD is to investigate changes in stem cell populations in the ageing human hair follicle. Such insights could potentially result in new targets to influence the signs of hair ageing such as hair loss. The research is in partnership with Unilever and will include a placement within their R&D facilities at Colworth.

The hair follicle (HF) is a regenerating system whose function is to produce a hair fibre. The hair follicle develops from the embryonic epidermis as an epidermal finger which differentiates into the fibre, the outer root sheath (ORS) and the inner root sheath (IRS). Mature follicles undergo follicular cycling through phases of organ growth and hair fibre production (anagen), cessation of fibre growth and organ involution (catagen) and a quiescent phase (telogen) where the organ rests and hair fibre remains anchored but no longer grows before regenerating to start the cycle again.

Adult mammalian hair follicles contain their own stem cell (SC) population within the bulge region and are responsible for HF cycling. Bulge cells are multipotent - their progeny generate the new lower anagen hair follicle. However, different stem cell populations have been identified in various regions of the adult telogen HF including the hair germ, a region between the bulge and the dermal papilla (DP).

Significant progress has been made in the localisation and molecular pathways regulating HF SCs. However, improved understanding is required of the changes in stem cell populations in the ageing human HF. This PhD seeks to address this.

The studentship will provide full support for tuition fees, and minimum annual tax-free stipend of £16,090. The project is available to UK/EU* nationals only due to the nature of the funding and is due to start October 2012. Research skills within histology, immunohistochemistry, qPCR, microarray and SiRNA will be developed. During placement at Unilever, there will be opportunity to experience the Genomics Facility, housing HT qPCR equipment for rapid characterisation of gene expression.

Given the breadth of molecular biology skills provided, such training would support progression into a variety of academic or clinical healthcare career positions.

Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) a minimum upper-second honours degree (or equivalent) in one of the biological/medical sciences, biochemistry, pharmacology or a related area. Applicants with previous experience of skin research, organ and/or cell culture techniques, histochemistry etc are particularly sought.

Please direct applications in the following format to Helen Haslam-Mousawi (helen.haslam-mousawi@manchester.ac.uk):

• Academic CV
• Official academic transcripts
• Contact details for two suitable referees
• A personal statement (750 words maximum) outlining your suitability for the study, what you hope to achieve from the PhD and your research experience to date.

Any enquiries relating to the project and/or suitability should be directed to Dr Iain Haslam (iain.haslam@manchester.ac.uk). Applications are invited up to and including Friday 22 June 2012.

http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/staff/152923
http://www.unilever.com/innovation/centres/colworth/

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