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A PhD studentship is available in the Spinal Cord Group (SCG) at the University of Glasgow, researching the mammalian somatosensory nervous system.
The aim of this project is to better understand dog sensory neurons. This will help us develop effective treatments for dogs in chronic pain and will also give crucial information that may help development of novel human analgesics. The project will have research and translational applications, which will both be explored during the PhD.
Background
Animals sense their environment via a complex system of sensory neurons. These neurons include a class known as nociceptors that transduce painful stimuli. Newly developed advanced molecular techniques have revolutionised our ability to understand these cells. In particular, the ability to measure RNA expression at the level of the single-cell has given us fascinating insight into the different types of sensory neurons and their likely role in helping us sense our environment.
We have an ever-increasing depth of understanding of the neurobiology of sensory neurons in rodents and humans, but our knowledge of the molecular architecture of the canine sensory system lags behind. This knowledge deficit limits our ability to apply novel therapeutics to the dog and the value of the dog as a translational model for chronic painful disease. This project aims to increase our understanding of canine sensory neurons using cutting-edge neuroscience techniques.
During the project the student will investigate canine sensory neurons using post-mortem tissue from companion animals. The studentship will involve a variety of experimental approaches including fluorescent-activated cell sorting, cell culture, immunohistochemistry, single-nucleus RNA sequencing & R-based bioinformatics, and fluorescent multiplexed in situ hybridisation.
The PhD will be based within the Spinal Cord Group at the Gilmorehill campus, and the successful candidate will work in a supportive and friendly environment alongside a number of other groups conducting pain and sensory neuroscience research. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about pain research with an interest in canine health and the value of the dog as a translational model. The project would be ideally suited to a veterinary surgeon with an interest in academic veterinary medicine, however applicants with other relevant degrees are also encouraged to apply. Informal enquires are welcome via email to Drs Bell or Weir.
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