This exciting PhD project provides a rare opportunity to discover novel mechanisms of immune-dysregulation in under-researched but clinically important chronic inflammatory muco-cutaneous disorders. It is expected to generate the critical knowledge that will inform the development of new biologic immunotherapies. To undertake this project, we are looking for a dedicated early career scientist who wishes to join a collegiate interdisciplinary team to improve patient well-being through leading-edge research.
Muco-cutaneous inflammatory disorders such as lichen planus are chronic diseases that affect predominantly the lining of the mouth, genitals and skin causing pain and increasing the risk of cancer by 1% over 10 years. The negative impact of lichen planus on quality of life has been widely documented, and is known to disproportionately affect women. Evidence suggests that the higher risk of cancer in lichen planus patients compared to the general population is higher still in the more aggressive form of the disease. Therefore, treatment with effective disease control is essential to relieve pain, reverse the adverse effect on quality of life and decrease the cancer risk.
Despite extensive evidence of the negative impact on quality of life, conditions like lichen planus remain grossly under-researched. As a result, treatment is empirical particularly for those patients who do not respond to standard first line treatment with topical steroids. Specifically, patients with severe disease are often treated with toxic anti-proliferative immunosuppressive drugs used in transplant medicine, the safety profile of which can be far from acceptable. Indeed, the sparce knowledge of the immunopathology of lichen planus and other rare oral mucosal inflammatory disorders has undermined the development of targeted biologic immunotherapies in this area. For example, the effect on lichen planus of a range of existing biologic therapies, including TNFα, IL-17, IL-23 inhibitors, has been reported in case series demonstrating inconsistent benefit and, in some cases, even paradoxical exacerbation of disease.
Against this dire backdrop, this PhD project will build on existing preliminary data and discover novel immune-dysregulating mechanisms to inform new immuno-therapies for chronic inflammatory muco-cutaneous disorders, that will in turn relieve pain, reverse the adverse effect on quality of life and decrease cancer risk. We hypothesise these disorders are driven by negative regulatory mechanisms that should normally reduce immune hyperactivation, but instead are dysfunctional and promulgate disease onset. Understanding this dysregulation provides a route to designing and implementing novel interventions.
The selected PhD candidate for this project will be a dynamic team-player who is passionate about making a positive difference to patient well-being through their research. They will benefit from supervision by a multi-disciplinary team of internationally recognised immunologists, histopathologists and clinicians. The candidate will join their vibrant research groups hosted at the Institute of Medical Sciences and the Institute of Dentistry of the Foresterhill Health Campus. They will be trained in state-of-the art flow cytometry, microscopy/histopathology and digital imaging approaches as well as management of clinical samples from patients recruited in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. They will also benefit from a rich programme of transferable academic skills training provided by the University of Aberdeen Postgraduate Research School.
Candidate Background:
- Equivalent of a First Class Honours undergraduate degree (e.g. BSc or MBChB or BDS), or a 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree plus a Masters with Commendation or Distinction.
- Demonstrable commitment to a research career.
- Previous laboratory experience.
- Evidence of trustworthiness, for example through acting in a position of responsibility
We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to having a diverse, inclusive team. Informal enquiries are encouraged, Please contact Prof. Karolin Hijazi ([Email Address Removed]) for further information.
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APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Please note: International applicants are eligible to apply for this studentship, but due to funding limitations will be required to find additional funding to cover the difference between overseas and home fees (approximately £20,000 per annum). An international applicant receiving an offer will be required to provide evidence they have these funds available.
- Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php
- You should apply for Medical Sciences (PhD) to ensure your application is passed to the correct team for processing.
- Please clearly note the name of the supervisor and project title on the application form. If you do not include these details, it may not be considered for the studentship.
- Applicants should normally hold a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant life science subject.
- Your application must include: A personal statement, an up-to-date copy of your academic CV, and clear copies of your educational certificates and transcripts.
- Please note: you DO NOT need to provide a research proposal with this application
- If you require any additional assistance in submitting your application or have any queries about the application process, please don't hesitate to contact us at [Email Address Removed]
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