Molecular mechanisms of pacemaker (sinus node) dysfunction in ageing, heart failure and athletes

The heart’s pacemaker, the sinus node, initiates the action potential that causes the heart to beat, and the atrioventricular node conducts the action potential from the atria to the ventricles, the pumping chambers of the heart. Together the nodes set the heart rate and rhythm. Dysfunction of the two nodes is especially common in the elderly, but it is also common in patients suffering from heart failure, diabetes, anorexia nervosa and chronic kidney disease. Paradoxically, it is also common in athletes. It can necessitate the implantation of an electronic pacemaker (for example in veteran athletes), but it can also result in death. Understanding the cause of the dysfunction will potentially identify new therapeutic strategies and this research project will investigate the molecular basis of the dysfunction of the sinus node in three key situations: ageing, heart failure and athletic training. This could lead to the discovery of new therapeutic targets for sinus node dysfunction.

The PhD student will undertake bioinformatics analysis of large-scale molecular datasets comprising the expression of ~55,000 transcripts and ~7,000 proteins (obtained using transcriptomics and proteomics) to probe for the changes that are responsible for the sinus node dysfunction. At least two datasets are already available but the PhD student will collect other RNAseq data sets from tissue samples. Furthermore, if appropriate, the PhD student will use other datasets available in public repositories. In addition, to verify important findings from the omics studies, independent measurements of transcripts and proteins will be made using qPCR and western blot.

How to apply

Formal applications can be submitted via the University of Bradford web site; applicants will need to register an account and select 'Full-time PhD in Biomedical Science' as the course, and then specify the project title in the 'Research Proposal' section.

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.

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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.

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• Centre for Pharmaceutical Engineering Science
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• 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. 

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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.