Stem cells in the bone marrow are important to maintain both bone and immune system function. MicroRNAs are very short non-coding RNAs that modulate the expression of most other genes. MicroRNAs are therefore important regulators of almost all biological processes, including bone homeostasis, stem cell differentiation and immune cell formation and function. We recently produced the only knock-out mouse for a microRNA implicated in bone maintenance. Deletion of the microRNA causes thickened bones because of defects in both mesenchymal and haematopoietic stem cells.
During this PhD the student will use a range of cutting-edge experimental techniques to determine how this one small RNA controls the stem cells of the bone marrow niche and how this impacts on both bone health and immune system development. You will join a multi-disciplinary supervisory team based at Newcastle University and the University of Sheffield with complementary knowhow in microRNAs, bone homeostasis, and immunobiology. Along with high-level molecular biology skills you will develop expertise in flow cytometry, bone microCT and histomorphometry, stem cell differentiation assays, CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing, bulk and single cell RNA-seq and bioinformatic analysis.
The student will primarily be based within the lab of David Young (Twitter @IGM_YoungLab) in modern fully equipped labs at the Centre for Life, Newcastle University. The Centre for Life is a vibrant world-class science hub with over 30 research groups and 200 scientists, including around 50 PhD students, as well as a renowned public science centre. Prof Alison Gartland (Twitter @ProfAllieG) is based at the Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Medical School, University of Sheffield and is part of the Mellanby Centre for Musculoskeletal Health. The Mellanby Centre is one of only a small number of institutes worldwide to support a world-class translational programme of basic and clinical bone research with a wide-ranging and comprehensive remit. Prof Gartland brings extensive expertise in musculoskeletal health as well as PGR training. Dr Lei Huang is located in Newcastle University Medical School and brings comprehensive skills in immune cell profiling and function.
For further information or queries please contact any of the team.
Benefits of being in the DiMeN DTP:
This project is part of the Discovery Medicine North Doctoral Training Partnership (DiMeN DTP), a diverse community of PhD students across the North of England researching the major health problems facing the world today. Our partner institutions (Universities of Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, York and Sheffield) are internationally recognised as centres of research excellence and can offer you access to state-of the-art facilities to deliver high impact research.
We are very proud of our student-centred ethos and committed to supporting you throughout your PhD. As part of the DTP, we offer bespoke training in key skills sought after in early career researchers, as well as opportunities to broaden your career horizons in a range of non-academic sectors.
Being funded by the MRC means you can access additional funding for research placements, international training opportunities or internships in science policy, science communication and beyond. See how our current DiMeN students have benefited from this funding here: https://www.dimen.org.uk/blog
Further information on the programme and how to apply can be found on our website:
https://www.dimen.org.uk/how-to-apply
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