Overview
Liver disease is currently the third biggest cause of premature deaths in the UK and fatty liver disease is predicted to be the leading cause of liver disease in the next decade.
Previous work in the Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group, identified signalling via CXCR2, a chemokine receptor, in neutrophils as a critical step in the development of liver steatosis (deposition of fat in the liver). In this exciting project the student will build on this work and investigate the role of neutrophil CXCR2 in the control of lipid metabolism, development of hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis.
The student will join a highly motivated and dynamic team of researchers in the Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group, committed to delivering high-quality translational research in chronic disease and tissue fibrosis. Throughout the project the student will receive high quality training in experimental design, data analysis and interpretation as well as develop skills in experimental disease modelling, including pre-clinical mouse models, immunology, metabolism and cell signalling. The student will be encouraged to attend scientific meetings to develop their scientific knowledge and communication skills.
The work is expected to discover new functions for CXCR2 in the control of lipid metabolism that will be highly relevant to pathologies in which steatosis is a disease driver, including type II diabetes, alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Discoveries emerging from the work may inform the design of new therapeutic interventions in these pathologies.
Number Of Awards
1
Start Date
19 September 2022
Award Duration
3 year PhD
Sponsor
Newcastle University and Fibrofind Ltd
Supervisors
Professor Derek Mann, Dr Jack Leslie and Dr Laura Greaves
Eligibility Criteria
You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent, in a subject relating to biomedical sciences, biological sciences or a related area. Further qualification such as an MRes is advantageous.
This award is available to home and international applicants. Successful international candidates will be required to make up the difference between the home fees and international fees.
Successful EU applicants will be considered for the Vice-Chancellor’s EU Research Scholarship.
English Language requirements: IELTS 6.5 overall, with 5.5 or more in each sub-skill.
How To Apply
You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system. To do this please ‘Create a new account’.
Only mandatory fields need to be completed. However, you will need to include the following information:
• insert the programme code 8420F in the programme of study section
• select ‘PhD Biosciences (FT) as the programme of study
• insert the studentship code BI054 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 BI054 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 Details
Prof Derek Mann