The North-East Scotland (NES) Diabetes and Cardiovascular Research Alliance Masters Training Programme (MTP) in cardiovascular and diabetes medicine is an exciting new programme that will expand interdisciplinary cardiovascular and diabetes research between the University of Aberdeen and the University of Dundee.
--------------------------------------
Bittersweet- the impact of anti-diabetic medicines on susceptibility to fungal infection
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is an important risk factor for increased susceptibility to fungal infections. Increased infections are due to swings in blood sugar levels, hypoxia and poor blood circulation, causing defects in cellular immunity and fungal killing. We are just beginning to understand how immune cells remodel their metabolism in infections to increase fungicidal effector molecules and how this is impacted by diabetes.
New treatments for T2D have increased hope of obtaining better blood glucose control and its downstream complications, however, reducing glucose and immune responses, can enhance infections. Common anti-diabetic medicines, e.g. metformin, lower glucose levels and induce anti-inflammatory responses resulting in impaired anti-microbial functions. SGLT2inhibitors, despite their improved cardiovascular benefits, are associated with a fivefold increase in complicated genital fungal infections. This is not simply due to increased kidney glucose levels, as urinary tract fungal infections are not substantially increased by SGLT2inhibitors. Our recent research demonstrates that a potential anti-diabetic therapy, MSI-1436, significantly increases susceptibility to fungal infection in experimental models. However, the exact molecular mechanisms underpinning how these medicines, despite their health benefits, can increase infection susceptibility is lacking.
The project will compare the effects of anti-diabetic medicines metformin, salicylate, SGLT2 inhibitors and MSI-1436, on macrophage and neutrophil functions, specifically:
1. Drug effects on the macrophage and neutrophil fungal killing ability.
2. Ability of drugs to alter C. albicans phagocytosis by macrophages/neutrophils and whether C. albicans growth and morphology are altered.
3. Effects of anti-diabetic drugs on the metabolic state of immune cells that influence their defense mechanisms, as explored by metabolic profiling.
This provides an exciting opportunity to bring together a supervisory team with expertise in a wide range of cutting-edge technologies in immune cell biology and infection models to help inform future drug development as to the best preventative measures to reduce infection caused by anti-diabetic medicines.
Informal project enquiries are encouraged. Please contact Professor Heather Wilson ([Email Address Removed]) for more information
--------------------------------------
This opportunity to achieve an MSc by Research is part of a flagship collaborative programme between the two universities. Based either in Aberdeen or Dundee but with cross-institutional training opportunities, students will be embedded in vibrant multidisciplinary research teams with a mix of cardiovascular/diabetes clinicians and scientists. Excellent research training opportunities are provided, including MTP specific training events, and more general training and educational activities in the universities, highlighted for example by the newly established Doctoral Academy in Dundee.
--------------------------------------
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS & ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must possess or be expected to possess by the time of starting the MSc, at least one of the following:
- First class, or upper second-class UK Honours Degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant scientific discipline.
- Postgraduate Masters degree in a relevant scientific discipline, or equivalent.
International applicants may apply for this studentship but will have to find additional funding to cover the difference between overseas and home fees (~£18,000 per annum).
International applicants receiving a funded offer of study covering UK fees only will be asked to provide evidence that this fee difference can be met.
-------------------------------------------
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
- Full application instructions and further information can be found by visiting the following link: Masters Training Programme
- CV's submitted directly through a FindAPhD enquiry WILL NOT be considered.
- If you have further questions, please email [Email Address Removed]
Continue with Facebook
