MAPK signalling pathways regulating the blood brain barrier

We invite applications for a 3-year PhD project to investigate cellular signalling regulating the function of the blood brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a complex network of blood vessels and supporting cells that tightly regulate the passage of substances between the bloodstream and the brain. It acts as a protective shield, preventing harmful agents from entering the brain while allowing essential nutrients and molecules to pass through. Disruption of the BBB has been implicated in various neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. When the integrity of the BBB is compromised, it can lead to increased permeability and allow harmful substances to enter the brain, triggering inflammation and neuronal damage. Understanding how the BBB functions and how it is regulated is crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies to treat these conditions. This project aims to establish in vitro models of the BBB to study the signal transduction pathways that regulate the permeability of the BBB. You will establish suitable 2D and 3D models of the blood brain barrier and use pharmacological and genetic manipulation of MAPK signalling pathways to investigate their role in the regulation of blood vessel permeability. This project uses a number of innovative technologies, including biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, modern imaging systems, as well as biological model systems. You will be part of the Cardiovascular Research group a highly active research environment with an excellent track record in PhD training and completion. You will be further supported by an active, ongoing education programme.

How to apply

Formal applications can be made through the University of Bradford web site. Applicants should register an account, and choose 'Full-time PhD in Pharmacy' as the course.

About the University of Bradford

Bradford is a research-active University supporting the highest-quality research. We excel in applying our research to benefit our stakeholders by working with employers and organisations world-wide across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors and actively encourage and support our postgraduate researchers to engage in research and business development activities.

Faculty of Life Sciences

The faculty comprises a mixture of academic divisions, research centres and outreach facilities. We provide high-quality teaching with a professional focus and engage in cutting-edge research – which we seek to apply through our extensive links with industry and business. We also offer a wide range of postgraduate taught and research courses.

Many of our academics are active researchers and international research experts.

Our interdisciplinary research themes are focus on:

• Computational and Data-driven Science
• Interface of Chemistry Biology and Materials
• Health, Society, People and Place
• The Life Course

Our research centres include:

• Centre for Pharmaceutical Engineering Science
• Digital Health Enterprise Zone
• Institute of Cancer Therapeutics
• Wolfson Centre for Applied Research

University investment in research support services, equipment and infrastructure provides an excellent research environment and broad portfolio of developmental opportunities.

Positive Action Statement

At the University of Bradford our vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity, where people want to, and can, make a difference. We place equality and diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to social mobility at the centre of our mission and ethos. In working to make a difference we are committed to addressing systemic inequality and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students.

Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action can be taken where protected group members are under-represented. At Bradford, our data show that people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups who are UK nationals are significantly under-represented at the postgraduate researcher level. 

These are lawful measures designed to address systemic and structural issues which result in the under-representation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in PGR studies.