MSc by Research: Molecular characterisation of the factors driving lung fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease that results in an irreversible decline in lung function.  At present IPF is normally fatal and the median survival is between 2 and 5 years after diagnosis. While some drugs, such as Pirfenidone and Nintedanib, can slow progression they do not provide a cure, and so further research is needed in order to increase our understanding of fibrosis and identify novel targets for therapeutic development.  Lung fibrosis can be induced by the chemotherapy agent bleomycin, and this can be used as a model for IPF in mice.  Bleomycin induced fibrosis is dependent on IL-33, a cytokine released by damaged endothelial cells in the lung.  The mechanism by which IL-33 promote fibrosis however remain controversial.  To understand the changes induced by bleomycin in the lung, and how these change on IL-33 blockade, this project will use high resolution mass spectrometry to map changes in protein expression throughout the lung as fibrosis progresses.  Initial results will focus on the whole lung tissue. 

Recent advances in DIA based mass spectrometry mean it will be possible to quantify 6000 to 7000 proteins and identify what changes with disease progression.  This will allow quantification of changes in the extracellular matrix and start to identify changes in cellular function.  This will be followed by further proteomic experiments on isolated cell types from the lung.  Together this will help establish the mechanism behind fibrosis and potentially help identify novel biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

Please see our website for further details on the programme:

Life Sciences MSc by Research MSc by Research (Postgraduate) : Study : University of Dundee

Please note before submitting your application that you must list your top three project choices in the Research Proposal section of the application form.

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· Course type: Research Postgraduate

· Keyword: Life

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