Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

The University of Manchester

This project is no longer listed on FindAPhD.com and may not be available.

Click here to search FindAPhD.com for PhD studentship opportunities

  Effect of vitamin D in vascular and endocrine cells

  Dr Donald Ward, Dr Jason Bruce  Applications accepted all year round  Self-Funded PhD Students Only

About the Project

Vitamin D3 deficiency is a common public health problem worldwide that is increasingly believed to contribute not only to decreased bone mineralisation but potentially to other serious medical conditions. Interestingly, there is even increasing evidence of links between obesity and vitamin D3 deficiency. However, the mechanisms underlying these associations remain poorly understood. This project will look at the cellular actions of 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 formation on vascular cells and on cells of the endocrine system, with particular regard to understanding how the vitamin D signals within the cells. Since chronic kidney disease is associated with low vitamin D levels and life-threatening vascular calcification the project will also look at the role of the vitamin D receptor in smooth muscle cells mineralisation. The techniques involved in this project include hormone assay, live cell calcium imaging, kinase assays and transfection with siRNAs for the selective knockdown of calciotropic signal regulators.

Training/techniques to be provided:

Intracellular signalling measured using a) FRET-based cell imaging and b) Epifluorescence microscopy

Cell culture, transfection, gene knockdown and cell assay. Smooth Muscle Cell mineralisation

Molecular techniques including Immunoblotting, Immunofluorescence, RT-PCR and mutagenesis

Entry Requirements

Candidates are expected to hold (or be about to obtain) a minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in a related area/subject. Candidates with previous laboratory experience, particularly in cell culture and molecular biology, are particularly encouraged to apply.

How To Apply

For information on how to apply for this project, please visit the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Doctoral Academy website (https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/). Informal enquiries may be made directly to the primary supervisor. On the online application form select PhD Genetics

For international students, we also offer a unique 4 year PhD programme that gives you the opportunity to undertake an accredited Teaching Certificate whilst carrying out an independent research project across a range of biological, medical and health sciences.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full Equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on the website https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/equality-diversity-inclusion/”

For international students we also offer a unique 4 year PhD programme that gives you the opportunity to undertake an accredited Teaching Certificate whilst carrying out an independent research project across a range of biological, medical and health sciences. For more information please visit www.internationalphd.manchester.ac.uk

Biological Sciences (4) Medicine (26)

Funding Notes

Applications are invited from self-funded students. This project has a Band 3 fee. Details of our different fee bands can be found on our website (https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/fees/). For information on how to apply for this project, please visit the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Doctoral Academy website (https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/).

As an equal opportunities institution we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

References

1] Wu-Wong JR (2009) Potential for vitamin D receptor agonists in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. British Journal of Pharmacology 158, 395-412.

[2] Absi M, Ward DT (2013) Increased Endothelin-1 Responsiveness in Human Coronary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells Exposed to 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3. American Journal of Physiology (Cell Physiology). 304, C666-C672.

[3] Campion KL, McCormick WD, Warwicker J, Bin Khayat ME, Atkinson-Dell R, Steward MC, Delbridge LW, Mun H-C, Conigrave AD, Ward DT. (2015) Pathophysiological Changes in Extracellular pH Modulate Parathyroid Calcium-Sensing Receptor Activity and Secretion via a Histidine-Independent Mechanism. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. 26, 2163-2171.

[4] Binmahfouz LS, Centeno PP, Conigrave AD, Ward DT. (2019) Identification of Serine-875 as an Inhibitory Phosphorylation Site in the Calcium-Sensing Receptor. Molecular Pharmacology. Jun 12. doi: 10.1124/mol.119.116178

[5] Roberts MS, Gafni RI, Brillante B, Guthrie LC, Streit J, Gash D, Gelb J, Krusinska E, Brennan SC, Schepelmann M, Riccardi D, Bin Khayat ME, Ward DT, Nemeth EF, Rosskamp R, Collins MT (2019) Treatment of Autosomal Dominant Hypocalcemia Type 1 With the Calcilytic NPSP795 (SHP635). Journal of Bone & Mineral Research May 7. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.3747

Open Days


Where will I study?

Search Suggestions
Search suggestions

Based on your current searches we recommend the following search filters.

Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Tackle real world challenges, make a difference, and elevate your career with postgraduate research in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at Manchester. From biochemistry to neuroscience, cancer sciences to medicine, audiology to mental health and everything in between, we offer a wide range of postgraduate research projects, programmes and funding which will allow you to immerse yourself in an area of research you’re passionate about.

Why study at Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health?

Ranked the best place to live in the UK (The Economist Global Liveability Index, 2022), Manchester boasts world-class culture, iconic sports, a thriving music and food scene, and much more. It's not just a place to research, it's a place to call home.

Experience PhD life as part of a diverse postgraduate research community of more than 1,000 postgraduate researchers at the 29th most international university in the world (Times Higher Education, 2023).

With 93% of research activity at the University rated as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' (Research Excellence Framework, 2021), you'll get the chance to have an impact on global health and science challenges.

1000+

postgraduate students

220

PhDs

6

ranked in UK - QS (2025)

Manchester  United Kingdom

main campus

Upcoming Open Days & Webinars


About Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

At Manchester, postgraduate researchers are at the heart of our mission to tackle pressing global challenges in biological, medical and healthcare sciences - and you could be too.

By choosing Manchester for your postgraduate research, you’ll be joining a university with an exceptional research reputation, where 93% of research is world-leading or internationally excellent (REF, 2021) and where your work will have real-world impact.

You’ll research in world-class facilities alongside leading experts at the forefront of innovation, collaborating across disciplines to pioneer new treatments, advance scientific knowledge, and improve healthcare globally.

Supported by our dedicated Doctoral Academy and strong industry links, you'll experience PhD life in a vibrant, welcoming and diverse postgraduate research community.

And you’ll leave with the specialist knowledge, research experience and transferable skills that will shape your future in academia, research or industry.





Main campus

The University of Manchester

Manchester

North West

United Kingdom

PhD saved sucessfully

(International Partnership Studentship) Using white matter network alterations relating to stroke risk to predict cognitive and health outcomes

The project aims to investigate how age-related changes in brain white matter impact upon cognitive and health outcomes. Using advanced software and MRI data from the UK Biobank, the researchers will create effective cross-sectional and longitudinal models of how white matter abnormalities predict cognitive function. Read more
More details

(MB-PhD) Gene regulatory networks driving metastatic progression in oesophageal adenocarcinoma

Oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) incidence is increasing and yet survival rates remain very poor. There are limited treatment options, especially for metastatic disease, which is especially problematic as patients usually present with late stage disease. Read more
More details

(MB-PhD) MYST Histone Acetyltransferases as Therapeutic Targets in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

Cytotoxic chemotherapy has been the standard of care for treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) for the last 50 years. Unfortunately, more often than not, it fails to cure patients, and the 5 years survival rate for all-comers with AML is only around 20%. Read more
More details

(MB-PhD)Immunomodulation in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a devastating B-cell malignancy for which there is no cure. The development of immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) has proved transformative to multiple myeloma care, however, their remain unanswered questions related to the mechanism of action of this important drug class. Read more
More details

(MRC DTP CASE) Developing a cortical organoid model of genetic autism to understand early brain development

Neurodevelopmental conditions including autism and ADHD affect 4-8% of the paediatric population. These conditions present in the preschool period, are highly heritable and can severely affect quality of life, academic and occupational functioning. Read more
More details

(MRC DTP CASE) Drug Binding on human G-Protein Coupled Receptors under Tension-Altered Biomechanics in Diseases

Integral membrane proteins (MPs) constitute a significant part of the genome and are targets of ~30% of therapeutics. However, structural and functional understanding of these proteins often lags behind that of their soluble counterparts. Read more
More details

(MRC DTP) Circadian mechanisms in psoriasis: translating genomic and computational analysis to clinical care.

Despite numerous lines of evidence supporting a role for the circadian clock regulating multiple immunological axes, the dominant cell type driving rhythmic disease expression in psoriasis remains undetermined and there has been no progress on time-of-day regulation of psoriasis. Read more
More details

(MRC DTP) Combinatorial targeting of multiple disease mechanisms in drug-resistant epilepsy using microRNA inhibitors

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological diseases, affecting ~70 million people worldwide. Epilepsy is characterised by susceptibility to spontaneous seizures, and can also include challenges with cognition, sleep and mental health. Read more
More details

(MRC DTP) Controlling G-protein coupled receptors to understand and treat obesity

The socioeconomic burden of obesity is ever increasing. Therefore, deciphering the neural substrates that control energy intake, expenditure and partitioning is an important step to developing novel treatments to reduce obesity rates. Read more
More details

(MRC DTP) Decoding the Brain-Immune Axis: Neuronal Circuitry and Metabolic Impact on Immune Responses

The immune system's response is intricately linked to nutritional status, with fasting and caloric restriction reducing inflammatory damage and extreme dietary perturbations increasing susceptibility to infection and inflammatory disorders. Read more
More details

(MRC DTP) Developing novel therapeutics to target splicing factor mutant myeloid malignancies

Aberrant RNA splicing is a key pathogenic event in several cancers including blood cancers. Blood cancer patients with splice factor mutations have worse overall survival than splice factor wild-type patients, highlighting the need for better treatment strategies for this group of patients. Read more
More details

(MRC DTP) Dissecting immune networks in barrier tissues and beyond

The immune system maintains tissue health within a variety of tissues and organs throughout the body, from mucosal barrier sites (such as the oral cavity, gut and lung) to the membranes that line the brain (meninges). Read more
More details