Analysis of a combined cholesterol and sonic hedgehog signalling pathway using mathematical modelling

Project Overview:

An exciting four year PhD studentship is currently available within the Mathematical Biology Group at the University of Reading in collaboration with colleagues at Syngenta. In recent years the two groups have been developing mathematical models of the mevalonate pathway – a key regulatory pathway in cholesterol biosynthesis. Cholesterol biosynthesis is vital for cell membrane integrity and overall well-being of the host and is universal across plant and animal cell systems. CYP51 is a key component of the pathway and its inhibition is thought to have adverse affects on it. In recent work the groups at Reading and Syngenta have demonstrated, using mathematical modelling, the robustness of the signalling cascade to variation in cholesterol and CYP51 inhibition.

This project will extend this work to consider what affects CYP51 has on cell development. This will involve integration of the sonic hedgehog pathway, a key pathway responsible for cell development, and the cross-talk between it and the mevalonate pathway. Our current nonlinear ordinary differential equation will be extended with a similar model of the hedgehog pathway. It will be parameterised using data from the literature and solved numerically using available numerical solvers (e.g. Matlab). Model analysis will include the use of model reduction, asymptotic perturbation and dynamical systems techniques.

Eligibility:

• Applicants should hold or expect to gain a minimum of a 2:1 in Mathematics, Physics, Engineering or a related area of mathematical modelling.
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• UK and EU nationals (subject to eligibility).

Funding Details:

• Start date - October 2015
• Duration 4 years
• Annual stipend of £18,057.


How to apply:

To apply for this studentship please submit an application for a PhD in Mathematical Biology to the University – see http://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/apply/pg-applicationform.aspx


Further Enquiries:

For further details please contact Dr Marcus Tindall at [Email Address Removed]