This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio DTP).
The DTP offers an interdisciplinary research training programme delivered by a consortium comprising the Universities of Bath, Bristol and Exeter, Cardiff University and Rothamsted Research, alongside six regional associate partners: Marine Biological Association, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Swansea University, UCB Pharma, University of the West of England and SETsquared Bristol. The partnership has a strong track record in advancing knowledge through high quality research and teaching, in collaboration with industry and government.
Studentships are available for entry in October 2022.
All SWBio DTP projects will follow a structured 4-year PhD programme, combining traditional project-focussed studies with a taught first year which includes directed rotation projects.
Supervisory Team:
Lead supervisor: Dr Chris Bailey, University of Bath, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology (email: [Email Address Removed])
Co-supervisor(s): Prof Eamonn Kelly (University of Bristol) and Dr Robert Williams (University of Bath)
Collaborators:
Dr Lloyd Bridge (University of the West of England; UWE), Prof Stephen Husbands (University of Bath) and Dr Rob Lane (University of Nottingham)
The Project:
In the nervous system, GPCRs are expressed both on cell bodies of neurons (postsynaptically) as well as on nerve terminals and axons (presynaptically). Virtually all central mammalian nerve terminals express at least one GPCR where they function to control neurotransmitter release.
The vast majority of studies in GPCRs have been on postsynaptic receptors, yet presynaptic GPCRs play key physiological roles in neuronal transmission: affecting, for example, cognition, learning, stress responses, arousal, as well as being implicated in the aetiology of various disease states (e.g. Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, addiction, depression, anxiety) and as sites of drug action (e.g. opioids). This project will focus on opioid receptors, a subtype of GPCR that are expressed both presynaptically and postsynaptically where they modulate a range of functions such as pain, mood and addiction.
Although presynaptic and postsynaptic GPCRs are the same receptor protein, they signal differently, and are regulated differently. We, and others, have shown that presynaptic opioid receptors evade receptor desensitization that occurs rapidly at postsynaptic receptors and that presynaptic opioid receptors are highly mobile and laterally diffuse along the axon and nerve terminal before signalling, whereas postsynaptic receptors are static in the cell membrane (Lowe JD & Bailey CP (2015) Br J Pharmacol 172:469-81; Jullie D et al (2020) Neuron 105:663-77).
In this innovative collaborative project, the fundamental differences between presynaptic and postsynaptic opioid receptors will be investigated at the receptor, cellular and whole-animal level: how do they signal, how are they regulated, and what behavioural effects do they cause?
The student will utilise a range of complementary techniques: neuronal cell cultures, cell-based signalling assays, mathematical modelling of receptor signalling, rodent brain slice electrophysiology, whole animal rodent behaviour and viral-based in vivo gene transfer.
Requirements:
Applicants should have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have Master’s degree or have significant relevant non-academic experience.
In addition, due to the strong mathematical component of the taught course in the first year and the quantitative emphasis in our projects, a minimum of a grade B in A-level Maths or an equivalent qualification/experience* is required.
* Physics A-level (grade B and above) or units in your degree with a significant mathematical component, e.g. maths, statistics, bioinformatics.
Applicants must ensure they highlight their Maths background within their application and upload any supporting evidence.
If English is not your first language, you will need to have achieved Academic IELTS 6.5 overall (with no less than 6.5 in any of the four skills). Find details of other acceptable tests and further information on our website.
Enquiries and Applications:
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to the lead supervisor.
Formal applications should be submitted on the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Biosciences.
When completing the form, please identify your application as being for the SWBio DTP studentship competition in Section 3 Finance (question 2) and quote the project title and lead supervisor’s name in the ‘Your research interests’ section. You may apply for more than one project within the same application, but you should upload a separate (clearly labelled) personal statement for each one, outlining your interest and suitability for that particular project.
See our website for more information about applying for a PhD at Bath.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
We want to support diverse and inclusive work environments. We therefore welcome applications from individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender or disability status.
If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.
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