Diabetes and thrombosis: mechanistic links and novel interventional opportunities.

Thrombosis is the occlusion of blood vessels by uncontrolled blood clotting. Being the cause of death for 70% of diabetes patients, thrombosis is a serious threat in diabetes. Blood platelets drive blood clotting and are hyperactive in diabetes.

Our data suggest that high blood glucose in diabetes patients causes oxidative stress, vesicle shedding and hyperactivity of platelets, which lead to uncontrolled blood clotting and increase the risk of thrombosis. In this project we will: 1) identify the molecular mechanisms linking high blood glucose with platelet hyperactivity; 2) establish novel in vitro and in vivo models of diabetes for the study of the association of diabetes and thrombosis; 3) study the effect of hyperglycaemia on haemostasis and vascular health; 4) assess whether dietary interventions can normalise platelet response in experimental models of diabetes. 

The successful candidate will join the internationally renowned Hull York Medical School, embedded in a £28 million state-of-the-art Health Campus of the University of Hull, with opportunities to work with biomedical and clinical scientists at the Allam Diabetes Centre of the Hull Royal Infirmary.

The supervisors have extensive experience of blood cell biology, pharmacology, drug discovery and diabetes research.

For informal inquiries, please contact [Email Address Removed]

About the research cluster / about the research environment

Diabetes is a multifaceted disease that reduces life quality and expectancy through a plethora of health complications and comorbidities. As the number of people living with diabetes is increasing, the societal impact of this disease is predicted to rise significantly in the next decades. The complexity of diabetes requires a multidisciplinary research approach to understand its mechanisms and deliver novel therapeutic tools.

This project will be part of a PhD cluster that will bring together a multidisciplinary team from five different Schools within the University of Hull to investigate four fundamental aspects of diabetes: 1) the effect on blood clotting and vascular health; 2) the association with kidney diseases; 3) the impairment of wound healing leading to peripheral limb diseases; 4) the combined effect of diabetes and dementia on life quality and disease progression.

As part of the cluster, these studentships will be embedded in a multidisciplinary and highly collaborative network. The students will participate in several cluster-wide activities, such as cluster-wide meetings with shared research updates, biweekly seminars, regular sessions on career progression and opportunities, an online community providing research news and local updates via monthly emails and via a dedicated webpage, and regular social activities for both students and supervisors. For informal inquiries regarding the cluster, please contact [Email Address Removed]

Submission of thesis

Submission of your final thesis is expected within three years and three months from the start of your PhD scholarship for full-time and within five years and six months if studying part-time. 

Eligibility and entry requirements

Applicants should have a minimum 2:1 degree in a biomedical subject. A taught MSc or Masters by Research in a relevant subject or relevant laboratory experience would be an advantage.

International applicants

This opportunity comes with a Home fee waiver only, which will not cover the full International fee. You will therefore need to pay the difference between the Home fee and the International fee and will need to provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover this.

How to apply

Applications are via the University of Hull webpage

Closing date for applications

10 February 2022