Biological Sciences PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships for Self-funded Students in Dundee

Supervisor: Dr D H Murray

Membranes and their protein organization are a frontier in our understanding of cell biology. We focus on polarized trafficking as a model to uncover fundamental mechanisms in the organization of structures at membranes. Read more

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

University of Dundee Dental School

Is there a Role for Activated Akt in Palatogenesis?

Main Aim. The project will use a medial edge epithelial (MEE) cell line as an in vitro model. These cells will be used to investigate the effects of exogenous TGFβ-3 and activation of Akt on cell migration, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and apoptosis. Read more

Supervisors: Dr S. J. Jones, Dr M Islam

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

University of Dundee School of Science and Engineering

Multiscale glioblastoma modelling: from development to treatment

The mathematical modelling of glioblastoma has a long history, with the majority of current models being focused on single-scale dynamics. Read more

Supervisors: Dr D Trucu, Prof D Steele, Dr K Hossain-Ibrahim

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

University of Dundee School of Science and Engineering

Advanced Biomaterial for Preventing Catheter-Associated Infections

Urinary catheters are used as soon as a patient cannot control urine drain as a consequence of incontinence or urine retention. Read more

Supervisors: Prof Q Zhao, Dr S Zolotovskaya

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

University of Dundee School of Science and Engineering

Use of Fungi as a Means of Producing Concrete-Like Construction Materials

Concrete is one of the World’s most ubiquitous materials. It has achieved this through its versatility, durability and low cost. However, the manufacture of a key ingredient - Portland cement – contributes 4% of anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Read more

Supervisors: Dr T Dyer, Prof G M Gadd

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

University of Dundee School of Science and Engineering

Development of micro-incubator OCT/ OCE bioreactor system to engineer a robust musculoskeletal tissue model

Achieving adequate musculoskeletal tissue healing is one of the most challenging factors in the repair of orthopaedic tissues. The problem of hard-to-soft tissue fixation is the major cause of failure of replacement grafts and leads to further musculoskeletal degeneration e.g. Read more

Supervisors: Dr J Vorstius, Dr C Li

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

University of Dundee School of Medicine

Interdisciplinary investigation of a large effect of sulfasalazine on HbA1c

The anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine, which is used in rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, was reported earlier to suppress HbA1c in a small cohort of patients [1]. Read more

Supervisors: Prof G Rena, Prof E Pearson

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

University of Dundee School of Medicine

Interdisciplinary investigation of the role of amino acids in immunometabolic responses to metformin in human cells

There is overwhelming evidence that inflammation contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) but counterbalancing this is evidence from meta-analysis of randomised control trials that many existing anti-inflammatory drugs, such as COX2 inhibitors and anti-TNF drugs, tend if anything to exacerbate risk of CVD. Read more

Supervisors: Prof G Rena, Prof C Lang

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

University of Dundee School of Social Sciences

Fingerprinting storm and tsunami sediment signatures: Assessing future coastal resilience challenges from extreme events

The number of deaths attributed to natural hazards continues to rise, despite progress in implementing disaster risk reduction strategies. Read more

Supervisors: Prof S Dawson, Dr A Cuthbertson

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

MSc by Research: Signaling pathways controlling epidermal development in cereals

Plants living on land face brutal threats from pests, dehydration and temperature. To survive and thrive, land plants evolved a waxy ‘cuticle’ and distinctive epidermal cells such as gas pores and defensive barbs. Read more

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

MSc by Research: Jasmonate control of barley development

From the earliest farmers to modern plant breeders, humans have continually modified the body plan of cereals, sometimes drastically, to generate higher grain yields. Read more

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

MSc by Research: The Generation Gap – understanding tissue communication during grain development

Cereal grain provides more calories than any other source to our diet, making grain production vital to food security. We study grain development in barley, a globally important cereal, and a powerful genetic model system. Read more

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

MSc by Research: Regulation of Architecture in Barley

Plant architecture, or body plan, plays a key role in determining grain yield of crop plants. However, we have little understanding of the molecular genetic basis of architecture in the temperate cereals such as barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), especially in comparison to the warm weather crops such as rice (Oryza sativa). Read more

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

MSc by Research: Bacillus subtilis biofilm formation and environmental stress

Supervisors: Prof N Stanley-Wall, Dr S Coulthurst

Bacillus subtilis is a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium that is widely used as a model organism to increase our understanding of biofilm formation. Read more

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

MSc by Research: Bacillus subtilis intraspecies interactions

Supervisors: Prof N Stanley-Wall, Dr S Coulthurst

Bacillus subtilis is a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium that resides in intestinal tracts, soil, and on plant surfaces. B. subtilis, alongside other Bacillus species, presents a promising plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria. Read more

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