Cell Biology PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships in Bradford

NIHR Leeds BRC: An interferon diagnostic to inform early detection and prevention strategies in Ana positive CTDs

Supervisors: Dr F Del Galdo, Dr R Ross

Type I interferons (IFN) play a role in a wide range of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), and strong evidence suggests that measurement of IFN activity could have clinical value, although testing has not progressed into clinical settings. Read more

26 May 2024 PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Molecular mechanisms of pacemaker (sinus node) dysfunction in ageing, heart failure and athletes

Supervisors: Dr M Hussain, Dr C Willis, Prof MR Boyett

Research Group: Chemistry and Biosciences

The heart’s pacemaker, the sinus node, initiates the action potential that causes the heart to beat, and the atrioventricular node conducts the action potential from the atria to the ventricles, the pumping chambers of the heart. Read more

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Characterisation of adrenoceptor and muscarinic receptor subtypes coupled to potassium channels in chondrocytes from bovine cartilage

Supervisors: Dr M Hussain, Dr M Katsikogianni, Dr N Javid

Research Group: Chemistry and Biosciences

Several outward potassium currents have been identified in bovine chondrocytes (review Mobasheri et al. 2012). These include ATP-sensitive and a Calcium-activated potassium currents (Sanches & Lopez-Zapata, 2011). Read more

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Polysialyltransferases as a target in metastatic cancer

Supervisors: Prof R Falconer, Dr S Shnyder

Research Group: Institute of Cancer Therapeutics

Polysialic acid plays an essential role in neuronal development, but by adulthood is absent from the human body. Its biosynthesis is regulated by two polysialyltransferases. Read more

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

ERK5 MAPK signalling in Alzheimer’s disease

Supervisors: Dr J Muller, Dr S Kantamneni

Research Group: Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics

Neurodegenerative diseases have devastating effects on individuals’ lives and our society, with no effective treatments available. Read more

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Design, synthesis and evaluation of protease-activated anti-cancer prodrugs

Supervisors: Prof R Falconer, Prof P Loadman

Research Group: Institute of Cancer Therapeutics

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of endoproteases that are overexpressed in tumours and play crucial roles in many tumourigenic processes, not least tumour invasion and angiogenesis. Read more

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Design, synthesis and evaluation of novel polysialyltransferase inhibitors as anti- metastatic agents

Supervisors: Prof R Falconer, Dr S Shnyder

Research Group: Institute of Cancer Therapeutics

Polysialic acid plays an essential role in neuronal development, but by adulthood is absent from the human body. Its biosynthesis is regulated by two polysialyltransferases (polySTs). Read more

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Genetics: Investigating the functional effect of novel genes and genetic variants in malignant hyperthermia susceptibility using model systems

Supervisors: Prof P Hopkins, Dr M-A Shaw, Dr C Diggle

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is an inherited condition, where patients exposed to anaesthetic drugs are susceptible to a dramatic hyperthermic and hypermetabolic response that can contribute to a significant proportion of post-operative morbidity and deaths. Read more

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Cancer: Characterization of EGFR signaling activated by the endothelium in the process of breast cancer metastasis to the brain

Supervisors: Dr G Mavria, Dr S Bell

The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) is important in normal physiology regulating epithelial development and homeostasis. In cancer, deregulation resulting from mutation, amplification or transcriptional upregulation promotes tumorigenesis. Read more

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

University of Leeds Faculty of Environment

Ethnic-specific markers and mediators of metabolism and disease risk

Globally, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular are the leading cause of death. These diseases are linked to a person's age, ethnicity, culture, genetics, and lifestyle habits, such as diet and exercise. . Read more

Supervisor: Dr M Zulyniak

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Oncology: Evaluating Photodynamic Therapy in colorectal cancer using patient-derived organoids

Supervisors: Dr I Knot, Prof D Jayne

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 3rd most common cancer worldwide. Surgery is first line treatment and often in adjunct with chemotherapy. Read more

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Translational Medicine: Understanding the mechanism(s) of resistance to EPA to personalise therapy and improve outcome

Supervisors: Dr MA Volpato, Prof M Hull

Advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) is the UK’s second most lethal cancer, with limited treatment options for unresectable metastatic tumours. Read more

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Cancer Biology: The role of Wnt signaling in glioblastoma therapeutic resistance

Supervisors: Dr G Mavria, Dr S Bell, Dr C Toomes

Glioblastoma is a deadly brain tumour treated with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy with patient survival of 6-15 months. Read more

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Genetics: Unravelling the Norrin/beta-catenin signaling pathway and its role in retinal angiogenesis and blindness

Supervisors: Dr C Toomes, Dr J Bond, Dr S Bell

Our previous work on the genetic analysis of individuals with the inherited retinal disease Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR), has helped identify a new angiogenesis pathway, the Norrin/beta-catenin pathway. Read more

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only