The role of gut inflammatory responses in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease: PUPSMD-0011

The Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine & Dentistry are seeking to attract PhD candidates of outstanding ability to join their exciting and rapidly expanding programme of internationally-rated research.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified graduates, (2:1 or above in relevant first degree), for a PhD Studentship as part of the Joint PU Faculty of Science and Technology and the Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry Studentship scheme. International students must also have an IELTS score of 7 or above (or equivalent qualification).

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder of aging. Unfortunately there is no treatment known to slow disease progression. The pathological hallmark of PD is the Lewy body whose main component is aggregated and phosphorylated alpha-synuclein. Better understanding of how alpha-synuclein aggregates form will be key to advancing our understanding of the pathogenesis of PD potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment.

It is known that pathological lesions in PD also occur outside the central nervous system, including the enteric nervous system (ENS). Patients with PD often have gastrointestinal problems (e.g. constipation); indeed gastrointestinal dysfunction may precede the development of PD by several years.

Gut leakiness in patients with a susceptibility to PD may be a pivotal early step promoting a pro-inflammatory/oxidative environment contributing to the initiation and/or progression of the PD process. One particularly detrimental consequence of increased intestinal permeability is the translocation of bacterial products such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which creates a proinflammatory environment and increases the oxidative stress burden in the ENS.

Thus an exciting possibility to be explored in this project, is that LPS stimulates the enteric immune response, either directly or via glial cells, to promote local oxidative stress leading to alpha-synuclein misfolding, aggregation, and subsequent neuronal damage in the ENS in individuals susceptible to PD development.

Closing date for applications: 07.06.2013 Start date: 01.10.13

To Apply for this studentship please download an application form from www.plymouth.ac.uk/pghowtoapply (apply now box) and return it with a statement outlining your reasons for wanting to pursue this course and details of any other achievements or experience that will support your application. Also send copies of your qualifications, transcripts, passport (or other photo ID), two academic references and cv. to:
Bernice Wilmshurst, Senior Administrator (Research Degrees), Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine & Dentistry, The John Bull Building, Tamar Science Park , Plymouth PL6 8BU

Telephone 01752 437471 email: [Email Address Removed]

For an informal discussion about the project, please contact: Dr Camille Carroll ([Email Address Removed]) or Prof. Simon Jackson ([Email Address Removed]).