Developing effective measurement techniques for the assessment of Furan Fatty Acids levels

The Furan Fatty Acids (FFAs) are an important class of natural products due to their nutritional health benefits and impact on inflammatory & cardiovascular diseases.(1) The FFAs originate from plant, algae and marine bacteria, then accrue in higher order fish and mammals; therefore, the furan fatty acids are not produced de novo within humans and animals, but are accumulated through ingestion.(1) The FFAs are notoriously difficult to measure accurately in biological samples and the current state-of-the-art utilizes HPLC that is heavily reliant on a single reference sample.(2)

We recently reported the total synthesis of two key FFAs,(3) therefore establishing practicable synthetic routes to the remaining members of this family of natural products. In this collaborative project, the successful candidate will complete the total synthesis of the remaining members of this group of natural products, validate the current state-of-the-art measurement methodology with our analytical colleagues, and then further examine the role the FFAs play in human health.

The PhD candidate will receive an excellent training platform in organic & analytical chemistry in our new state-of-the-art laboratories here at Loughborough. Importantly, the candidate will be immersed in a collaborative project delivering IMPACT with research outcomes that fit with the "Health and Wellbeing Challenge" at Loughborough University.

All applications are made online, please select the school/department name under the programme name section and include the quote reference number.

https://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/research-applications/
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry.