PhD studentship in Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells, and Transplantation – The impact of pancreatic fibrosis on islet structure and function

Number of awards
1

Start date and duration
October 2020 for 3 years.


Overview
The islets of Langerhans are vascularised micro-organs spread throughout the pancreas secreting insulin and other hormones central to blood glucose regulation. Extrinsic stress on the insulin-secreting beta-cells leads to dysfunction, high glucose and diabetes.

Pancreatic diseases (cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, cancer) are associated with diabetes and changes in islet microenvironment, specifically fibrosis.

Working in parallel with an international consortium exploring the underlying mechanisms of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, this PhD project will investigate how pancreatic fibrosis leads to islet dysfunction and failure through the study of a unique repository of human pancreatic tissue samples, isolated islets and beta-cell lines.

Training will be provided in a broad range of cell and molecular biology techniques including spatial transcriptomics and precision cutting of human pancreatic tissue slices for in vitro disease modelling.

The successful candidate will join the Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells and Transplantation Theme committed to supporting career development and progression of post-graduate students and early career researchers.

Sponsor
Newcastle University in partnership with the Cystic Fibrosis Trust

Name of supervisor(s)
Professor James Shaw, co-director Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells and Transplantation Theme, and Dr Nicole Kattner, Post-doctoral Research Associate, Translational and Clinical Research Institute

Eligibility Criteria
You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in biomedicine or a related area. Further research experience or a qualification such as an MSc or MRes is advantageous.

This award is available to UK/EU applicants only.

How to apply
You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system. To do this please create an account. https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/

Only mandatory fields need to be completed. However, you will need to include the following information:

· Insert the Programme Code ‘8300F’ in the Programme of Study section

· Select ‘PhD Faculty of Medical Sciences’ as the programme of study

· Insert the Studentship Code TC014 in the studentship/partnership reference field

· Attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote the studentship reference code TC014 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project

· Attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.

Contact
For more information please contact [Email Address Removed] or [Email Address Removed].