(BBSRC DTP) Imaging inflammatory changes in tissues by mass spectrometry

Inflammation is a complex response to variety of stimuli. It is critical to fighting infection, handling trauma to tissues and is central to progression and outcome of a wide range of important conditions including stroke, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease. Understanding inflammatory processes requires a range of tools. This project will focus on the use of mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) of biological tissues to explore and further develop their capabilities in the context of inflammation research.

MSI of biological tissues is a rapidly emerging set of technologies that allows an image of a tissue to be acquired where each pixel contains mass spectral information about the biomolecules present in that region of the tissue. The complex mass spectral fingerprints acquired allow the image to be segmented into different tissue phenotypes, distinguishing healthy and pathological tissues and delineating heterogeneity within specific organs or in tumours.

The project brings together a cross-faculty supervisory team with expertise in inflammation: including neuroinflammation in models of stroke and Alzheimer’s disease and peripheral inflammation in pre-cancerous papillomas and in wound-healing. This biology focus is complemented by the mass spectrometry expertise from the physical sciences. The student will become familiar with desorption electrospray mass spectrometry (DESI-MS), matrix-assisted laser-desorption mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) all applied in an imaging mode to the analysis of these biological tissues.

McMahon:https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/researchers/adam-mcmahon(e85bdfbb-e7de-476d-8f8f-d099f4b49200).html
Lockyer:https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/researchers/nicholas-lockyer(d3d6088a-2d55-4833-95fa-e9195b76fe12).html
Boutin: https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/researchers/herve-boutin(2998c304-27af-46bd-8fe5-5297d68bf000).html
Finegan: https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/researchers/katie-finegan(b9e2452c-f284-4b96-89d0-c24bfe1c1db3).html

Entry Requirements:
Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, at least an upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.

UK applicants interested in this project should make direct contact with the Principal Supervisor to arrange to discuss the project further as soon as possible. International applicants (including EU nationals) must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English Language) as outlined before contacting potential supervisors to express an interest in their project. Eligibility can be checked via the University Country Specific information page (https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/country-specific-information/).

If your country is not listed you must contact the Doctoral Academy Admissions Team providing a detailed CV (to include academic qualifications – stating degree classification(s) and dates awarded) and relevant transcripts.

Following the review of your qualifications and with support from potential supervisor(s), you will be informed whether you can submit a formal online application.

To be considered for this project you MUST submit a formal online application form - full details on how to apply can be found on the BBSRC DTP website www.manchester.ac.uk/bbsrcdtpstudentships