This project is no longer listed in the FindAPhD database
and may not be available.
Supervisors: Dr Hugh Seton, Dr Dana Dawson, Prof Tom Redpath & Prof Michael Frenneaux
MRI-guided 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is used to study metabolic in vivo, with important applications in heart physiology and metabolism. These measurements become particularly challenging in mouse models because data acquisition needs to be timed by a heart which beats at 500-600 bpm. Measurements of the ratio of phosphocreatine (PCr) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) provide information on myocardial energetics [1] and, with the addition of external reference samples, measurements of absolute concentrations of PCr and ATP become possible [2]. This project will involve 31P RF coils and optimising cardiac gated MRI pulse sequences for small animal models at 4.7 T.
The project is particularly suited for a graduate with a strong background in Experimental Physics, Electronic Engineering or MRI physics. The successful applicant will join an existing group of PhD students and staff in the Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, where there is excellent support in image acquisition and analysis.
Funding Notes:
Funding
Full funding is available to UK/EU candidates only.
Eligibility
Candidates should have (or expect to achieve) a First Class or 2.1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
References:
[1] MRI/MRS assessment of in vivo murine cardiac metabolism, morphology, and function at physiologic heart rates, Chacko VP et al., Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 279, 2000). H59-H64 (2009).
[2] Abnormal energetic and ATP depletion in pressure-overload mouse hearts: in vivo highenergy phosphate concentration measures by noninvasive magnetic resonance, Gupta et al., Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 297, H59-H64 (2009).