Dr E Johnstone, Dr Lynda Harris, Prof M Westwood
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
We have identified that the signalling lipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a critical regulator of placental development and that this regulation predominantly occurs through S1P receptor 2 (S1PR2) activation.
We have demonstrated that pharmacologic inhibition of S1PR2 can promote placental development in both in vitro and animal models. Poor placental development is linked to a range of poor pregnancy outcomes and diseases including preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, stillbirth and preterm birth and treatments that improve this would be of significant value to society. S1P receptors are widely distributed across organ systems and the importance of S1PR2 activation in placental development is relatively unusual, however inhibiting the receptor across the human body may not be safe; furthermore, treatments used in pregnancy frequently cross the placental barrier and there are therefore significant concerns regarding the use all medications particularly in the first trimester. To address this problem our group has been separately been studying methods to target drug delivery to the placenta using peptides that direct liposomal delivery of therapeutic agents to specific areas. We now wish to combine expertise from both of these projects to study the possibility of targeting S1PR inhibitors to treat or prevent placental disease.
Entry Requirements
Applications are invited from UK/EU nationals only. Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, at least an upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
Funding Notes
This project is to be funded under the MRC Doctoral Training Partnership. If you are interested in this project, please make direct contact with the Principal Supervisor to arrange to discuss the project further as soon as possible. You MUST also submit an online application form - full details on how to apply can be found on the MRC DTP website www.manchester.ac.uk/mrcdtpstudentships
As an equal opportunities institution we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.
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