BBSRC LIDo iCASE Project: Development of integrated in vitro and in silico methods for predicting the effects of chemicals on fish reproduction

Applications are invited from PhD candidates to join the Mechanistic & Integrative Toxicology group led by Dr Luigi Margiotta-Casaluci (King’s College London), on a project in collaboration with Professor Christer Hogstrand (King’s College London) and the AgTech company Syngenta. This academia-industry collaboration will provide the exciting opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary scientific team on the application of cutting-edge in vitro and computational methods to unravel key outstanding biological questions with practical implications for the industry sector.

Chemicals are essential for the well-being, high living standards and comfort of modern society. However, most chemicals have hazardous properties which can harm the environment and human health. As part of regulatory approval, chemicals need to be assessed for their environmental safety before they can be marketed. This legal requirement includes toxicity testing covering species representing different taxonomic groups, including legally protected species, such as fish. More than 125,000 fish are used each year in Europe for chemical safety assessment. However, UK, EU and US have recently announced their commitment to phase out animal testing for toxicology, and there is an urgent need to develop novel alternative testing strategies.

Building up on previous research carried out in our laboratories, in this project the student will focus on fish reproductive toxicity and will develop novel testing strategies (i.e. New Approach Methodologies, NAMs) based on cutting-edge in vitro methodologies (e.g. high-content imaging of single cells and organoids) and computational modelling (e.g. toxicokinetics/toxicodynamics) aimed at predicting the chronic reproductive toxicology hazard of pesticides without using animal testing. Given the urgent regulatory need to minimise the use of animal testing in toxicology, the outcome of this project will bring significant benefits for the chemical industry sector and regulatory agencies.

The student will be based at King’s College London (Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Department of Analytical, Environmental, and Forensic Sciences) and will work in close contact with the industry partner Syngenta (Bracknell, UK), where the student is expected to undergo a placement period of minimum 3 months. Throughout the project, the student will be able to develop transferable skills (i.e., High-Content-imaging, RNA-seq analysis, phenotypic profiling, advanced statistics, coding and AI-enabled big data analysis, TK/TD modelling, bioinformatics, chemical safety assessment, science communication) that are in high demand beyond academia.

Application and entry requirements

This industrial collaborative (iCASE) PhD Project is offered via the BBSRC London Interdisciplinary Doctoral Training Programme (LIDo DTP), and it will provide the student with a unique opportunity to pursue innovative interdisciplinary research projects in the heart of one of the world's most vibrant cities.

Applicants should have or shortly expect to obtain a first or high upper second-class undergraduate degree from a UK university, or an equivalent standard from an overseas university, or a Masters degree in a relevant subject. Strong experimental and analytical skills, in addition to creativity, curiosity, enthusiasm, and the ability to work in a team are essential. Prior research experience is desirable.

All students whose first language is not English must be able to provide recent evidence that their spoken and written command of the English language is adequate for the programme.

This studentship is open to Home students. International applicants with equivalent qualifications may be considered, subject to funding availability.

To apply, please visit the LIDo’s Apply website at https://www.lido-dtp.ac.uk/apply  and follow the steps outlined on that page. Students can apply directly to the named iCASE project advertised on the LIDo website. iCASE applicants will have two interviews, the first will be with a neutral LIDo panel and, if successful at that stage, a second interview with the iCASE supervisors will take place shortly after.

The closing date is Wednesday 11th December 2024 at 5pm (UK Time).

References:

• Langan et al. (2023) Big Question to Developing Solutions: A Decade of Progress in the Development of Aquatic New Approach Methodologies from 2012 to 2022. Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry, 43(3):559-574. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5578

Supervisors:

• Dr Luigi Margiotta-Casaluci (Luigi.Margiotta-Casaluci@kcl.ac.uk) 
• Professor Christer Hogstrand (Christer.Hogstrand@kcl.ac.uk) 
• Dr Roman Ashauer (Roman.Ashauer@syngenta.com) 

Funding Notes:

Fully funded place including home (UK) tuition fees and a tax-free stipend in the region of £21,237. Additional funding to cover full overseas fees is available for a maximum of 7 studentships.

Enquiries:

LIDo.Admissions@ucl.ac.uk 

Luigi.Margiotta-Casaluci@kcl.ac.uk

Application Web Page:

https://www.lido-dtp.ac.uk/apply