Proteomic Signatures of Vulnerable Coronary Artery Plaques

Academic department/school

Department of Cardiovascular Sciences,

College of Life Sciences,

Supervisors

Dr. Alastair J Moss               [Email Address Removed]

Professor Leong Ng             [Email Address Removed]

Professor Gerry McCann

Course PhD/MPhil

PhD

Project Ref

LPMI PhD Studentship

Application deadline

11^th June 2021

Interview dates

TBC

PhD Start date

September 2021

Project Title

Proteomic Signatures of Vulnerable Coronary Artery Plaques

Project Overview

Heart attacks are a common cause of death in the United Kingdom. Despite several billion pounds being spent each year on their treatment, one in five patients either die or have a further heart attack within 2 years. We need better techniques to identify which heart arteries are most likely to cause problems in the future and are amenable to treatment. We can now use a new type of heart scan with a radioactive tracer (18F-fluoride) to identify damage in heart arteries. This special heart scanning technique is called Positron Emission Tomography and helps doctors to detect ‘hotspots’ of active disease inside heart arteries. By measuring disease activity with this radiotracer in heart arteries, doctors can predict who will have a heart attack in the future. However, we are currently looking for cheaper and more effective ways to do this. This project aims to test whether a blood test is as accurate as a PET scan at detecting disease activity in heart arteries. It will use high performance mass spectroscopy at the John and Lucille van Geest Biomarker Facility to derive a proteomic signature of disease activity in heart arteries. Validation of the proteomic signature will be performed as part of a prospective study in patients undergoing routine clinical imaging to investigate heart artery disease. If successful, this work will transform how doctors investigate and treat patients with heart artery disease. 

This PhD will offer an exciting opportunity to develop unique research skills in ‘big data’ and ‘deep phenotyping’ by combining precision ‘omics’ with state-of-the-art imaging. The project harnesses the University of Leicester’s strengths in biomarker discovery and cardiovascular imaging. The PhD student will be part of an active research group which has a strong track record in nurturing the careers of outstanding scientists who aspire to cure heart disease.

Funding Source

College of Life Sciences and Leicester Precision Medicine Institute

Funding Details

This 3-year LPMI Studentship provides:

·      UK/EU tuition fee waiver

·      Annual stipend at UKRI rates (£15,609 for 2021/22)

Academic entry requirements

UK Bachelor’s Degree with at least a 2:1 in a relevant subject or overseas equivalent. 

University of Leicester English language requirements apply where applicable

Informal enquiries

Dr. Alastair J Moss               [Email Address Removed]

How to apply 

To apply, please follow the guidance at:

https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/funded-opportunities/lpmi-moss-2021

Eligibility

UK/EU applicants only