Self funded BMS Project_Investigating the Effects of Glucocorticoids on the Development of Lab Grown Mini-brains.

Glucocorticoids are some of the most commonly prescribed therapeutics worldwide because of their low-cost and anti-inflammatory effects. In treating brain cancer, they provide essential management of the swelling caused by the tumour to prevent damage to the surrounding tissue.

Corticosteroids are also vital to the management of childhood asthma and supporting lung development in preterm infants. However, glucocorticoids interfere with brain development, leading to altered brain structure in response to long-term treatments.

Glucocorticoids activate the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which is found in all cells. However, despite its ubiquitous nature, different cell types interpret the signal differently. Immune cells respond with the desired anti-inflammatory effects, while the GR response in brain tissue alters tissue development. As with most nuclear receptors, the activated GR functions as a transcription factor (TF) with the co-regulators expressed within the cell defining the response. The project will address the knowledge gap of which co-regulators enable the deleterious GR response in brain tissue, and if they can be targeted to prevent the negative side-effects of glucocorticoid use.

The York Biomedical Research Institute at the University of York is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.

Entry Requirements: Students with, or expecting to gain, at least an upper second class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply. The interdisciplinary nature of this programme means that we welcome applications from students with backgrounds in any biological, chemical, and/or physical science, or students with mathematical backgrounds who are interested in using their skills in addressing biological questions. 

Programme: PhD in Biomedical Science (3 years)

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