About the Project
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, for a PhD Studentship in Professor Bob Fern’s laboratory. International students must also have an IELTS score of 7.0 or above (or equivalent qualification).
In the human brain, the astrocyte cell type outnumber the neuron cell type and have the principle function of providing for and protecting neurons. Any form of brain malfunction is therefore a failure of astrocyte function. There is increasingly convincing evidence that astrocyte failure plays an important role in a variety of conditions including stroke and neurodegenerative disorders. While there is a lot of data describing regional variability in neuronal susceptibility to injuries such as ischemia, nothing has been published on this subject for astrocytes despite the growing understanding of the significance of astrocytes to disease. This proposal will examine the regional variability of astrocyte tolerance of acute ischemia, relate this pattern to important neuropathies, and investigate the underlying mechanisms. An interest in basic and translational neuroscience is important, and a good degree in a biological subject. Full training in a number of major research techniques will be provided.
Salter, M, & Fern R. (2005) NMDA Receptors are Expressed in Developing Oligodendrocyte Processes and Mediate Injury. Nature, 438: 1167-1171.
Shannon, C. Salter, M. & Fern, R. (2007) GFP imaging of live astrocytes, regional differences in the effects of ischemia upon astrocytes. Journal of Anatomy 210: 684-692.
Alix, JJP. & Fern, R. (2009) Glutamate receptor mediated ischemic injury of premyelinated central white matter. Annals of Neurology 66: 682-693
Alix, JJP. Zammit, C. Riddle, A. Meshul, CK, Back, SA, Valentino, M, & Fern, R. (2012) Central axons preparing to myelinate are highly sensitivity to ischemic injury. Annals of Neurology, 72:936-51.
Closing date for applications: 30th August 2014 Start date: October 2014
To Apply download an application form:
http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=32190
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, two academic references and c.v. to:
Bernice Wilmshurst, Senior Administrator (Research Degrees), Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine & Dentistry, The John Bull Building, Plymouth Science Park , Plymouth PL6 8BU or via email (address below).
Telephone 01752 437471 email: [Email Address Removed]
For an informal discussion about the project, please contact: Prof Fern ([Email Address Removed])
Funding Notes
The stipend will be £13,863 (based on full time 14/15 rate). Tuition fees will be paid at the home/EU rate. Candidates from countries outside the European Union will be liable for the difference between 'home student fees' and 'international student fees’. For the 14/15 academic year the difference in fee is (£10,050). If you are selected you will be required to provide financial assurances.
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