This project is no longer listed on FindAPhD.com and may not be available.
Click here to search FindAPhD.com for PhD studentship opportunitiesAbout the Project
Genetic studies have identified numerous variants within the human genome associated with susceptibility to common complex inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Many of these lie near to immune-related genes and show extensive overlap between diseases. Recent single cell studies have identified molecularly distinct immune cell populations from disease relevant tissues which are associated with pathological inflammation. However, while the overlap of fibroblast sub-types has been explored, the extent of overlap between immune cell populations or their relevance to the genetic basis of the diseases has not.
This project aims to explore this overlap to identify shared states which could drive common inflammatory mechanisms within these diseases and to elucidate the genetic basis behind them. This will be achieved by integrating the wealth of publicly available single cell and bulk omics data to generate an annotated, shared resource across inflammatory diseases which has the potential to identify novel drug targets or inform the selection of existing therapies based on genetic risk.
PM will supervise training in single cell and bioinformatics analysis and interpreting results. SE will supervise training in RA epidemiology and literature reviewing and interpreting results. AM will providing training and support statistical analysis and interpreting results.
Training will be provided in the statistical approaches required to analyse the data available and the interpretation of the results. Specifically, in-house training courses in Epidemiology and statistical analysis are held annually. The successful applicant will join other students and research staff investigating the functional genomics, particularly the immunological aspects of these studies.
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 experience in bioinformatics and with an interest in immunology are 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 the PhD Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences.
Equality, Diversity & 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/
Funding Notes
Details of our different fee bands can be found on our website https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/fees/
References
Korsunsky, I., Wei, K., Pohin, M., Kim, E. Y., Barone, F., Major, T., Taylor, E., Ravindran, R., Kemble, S., Watts, G. F. M., Jonsson, A. H., Jeong, Y., Athar, H., Windell, D., Kang, J. B., Friedrich, M., Turner, J., Nayar, S., Fisher, B. A., … Raychaudhuri, S. (2022). Cross-tissue, single-cell stromal atlas identifies shared pathological fibroblast phenotypes in four chronic inflammatory diseases. Med, 3(7), 481-518.e14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medj.2022.05.002
Search suggestions
Based on your current searches we recommend the following search filters.
Check out our other PhDs in Manchester, United Kingdom
Start a New search with our database of over 4,000 PhDs
PhD suggestions
Based on your current search criteria we thought you might be interested in these.
Investigation of the critical roles of platelets at the interface between thrombosis and inflammation in order to develop improved therapeutic strategies for the treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular/inflammatory diseases
University of Reading
Genetics: Investigating the molecular basis of optic nerve degeneration in glaucoma to try and develop a personalized medicine strategy for treatment
University of Leeds
Genetics: Investigating the functional effect of novel genes and genetic variants in malignant hyperthermia susceptibility using model systems
University of Leeds