or
Continue with FacebookLooking to list your PhD opportunities? Log in here.
This project is no longer listed on FindAPhD.com and may not be available.
Click here to search FindAPhD.com for PhD studentship opportunities
Dr Jordi Cayuso
Applications accepted all year round
Self-Funded PhD Students Only
Portsmouth
United Kingdom
Cell Biology
Developmental Biology
Genetic Engineering
Genetics
Genomics
Human Genetics
Molecular Biology
Molecular Genetics
Neuroscience
Biological Sciences
About the Project
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that leads to the death of motor neurons (MNs) in the brain and spinal cord. ALS is the most common motor neurone disease (MND), and unfortunately, no effective therapies exist for its treatment. A pressing challenge in ALS research is the identification of early biomarkers for timely detection and the need for a deeper understanding of early changes occurring in degenerating tissues, as these could facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
One of the earliest preclinical signs of ALS involves alterations in the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the synapse connecting motor neurones and muscle fibres. This challenges the previously held belief that ALS initiates in the brain.
This project aims to understand the link between molecular signalling, maintenance of NMJ and motor neurone degeneration. For this, we will use a combination of state-of-the-art imaging and molecular techniques, including CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, as well as transcriptomics and proteomic approaches. Importantly, during this programme you will be trained in the use of zebrafish in biomedical research.
The outcomes of this project will pave the way for the discovery of novel early biomarkers for ALS, offering the potential for early intervention and enhanced treatment strategies.
During this project, the candidate will have the opportunity to:
● Implement state-of-the-art genome editing techniques, specifically CRISPR/Cas9, as part of this project to advance our understanding of molecular mechanisms in neural regeneration.
● Develop skills in molecular and cellular analysis techniques, with a focus on genomic and transcriptomic analysis. This encompasses advanced chemical and light imaging techniques, as well as gene expression analysis.
● Gain hands-on training in cellular models and zebrafish, an emerging vertebrate model for studying disease, development, and regeneration.
● Directly contribute to the identification of new biomarkers for neurodegeneration. These findings may play a pivotal role in the development of new therapies.
General admissions criteria
You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in Biomedical or Biological Sciences or a related area. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or Qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
How to Apply
Please forward your motivation letter and CV directly to Dr. Jordi Cayuso ([Email Address Removed]).
Visit our website for additional information on our research aims: https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/jordi-cayuso-mas
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the UK's only island city and the University is a top 3 modern university for research power.
A walking tour of the University campus is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp_Tm2MvzFU
If you want to know more about how living in Portsmouth is for students watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0ZJJ-MeX4g
There is also a University virtual experience available here: https://virtual.port.ac.uk/
Funding Notes
Applications are invited for a self-funded, 3 year full-time or 6 year part-time PhD project.
As a guide, PhDs cost £4,596 a year (full-time) or £2,298 a year (part-time) for UK/EU students, and £16,200-18,300 a year (full-time) or £8,100-9,150 a year (part-time) for international students. This project also requires negotiable yearly bench fees of approximately £8,000/year.
As a guide, PhDs cost £4,596 a year (full-time) or £2,298 a year (part-time) for UK/EU students, and £16,200-18,300 a year (full-time) or £8,100-9,150 a year (part-time) for international students. This project also requires negotiable yearly bench fees of approximately £8,000/year.
References
Cayuso, J., Xu, Q., Addison, M., & Wilkinson, D. G. (2019). Actomyosin regulation by Eph receptor signaling couples boundary cell formation to border sharpness. eLife, 8, e49696. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.49696
Thestrup, M. I., Caviglia, S., Cayuso, J., Heyne, R. L. S., Ahmad, R., Hofmeister, W., Satriano, L., Wilkinson, D. G., Andersen, J. B., & Ober, E. A. (2019). A morphogenetic EphB/EphrinB code controls hepatopancreatic duct formation. Nature communications, 10(1), 5220. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-13149-7
Addison, M., Xu, Q., Cayuso, J., & Wilkinson, D. G. (2018). Cell Identity Switching Regulated by Retinoic Acid Signaling Maintains Homogeneous Segments in the Hindbrain. Developmental cell, 45(5), 606–620.e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2018.04.003
Cayuso, J., Dzementsei, A., Fischer, J. C., Karemore, G., Caviglia, S., Bartholdson, J., Wright, G. J., & Ober, E. A. (2016). EphrinB1/EphB3b Coordinate Bidirectional Epithelial-Mesenchymal Interactions Controlling Liver Morphogenesis and Laterality. Developmental cell, 39(3), 316–328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2016.10.009
Cayuso, J., Xu, Q., & Wilkinson, D. G. (2015). Mechanisms of boundary formation by Eph receptor and ephrin signaling. Developmental biology, 401(1), 122–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.11.013
Thestrup, M. I., Caviglia, S., Cayuso, J., Heyne, R. L. S., Ahmad, R., Hofmeister, W., Satriano, L., Wilkinson, D. G., Andersen, J. B., & Ober, E. A. (2019). A morphogenetic EphB/EphrinB code controls hepatopancreatic duct formation. Nature communications, 10(1), 5220. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-13149-7
Addison, M., Xu, Q., Cayuso, J., & Wilkinson, D. G. (2018). Cell Identity Switching Regulated by Retinoic Acid Signaling Maintains Homogeneous Segments in the Hindbrain. Developmental cell, 45(5), 606–620.e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2018.04.003
Cayuso, J., Dzementsei, A., Fischer, J. C., Karemore, G., Caviglia, S., Bartholdson, J., Wright, G. J., & Ober, E. A. (2016). EphrinB1/EphB3b Coordinate Bidirectional Epithelial-Mesenchymal Interactions Controlling Liver Morphogenesis and Laterality. Developmental cell, 39(3), 316–328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2016.10.009
Cayuso, J., Xu, Q., & Wilkinson, D. G. (2015). Mechanisms of boundary formation by Eph receptor and ephrin signaling. Developmental biology, 401(1), 122–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.11.013
How good is research at University of Portsmouth in Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy?
Research output data provided by the Research Excellence Framework (REF)
Click here to see the results for all UK universities
Search suggestions
Based on your current searches we recommend the following search filters.
Check out our other PhDs in Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Start a New search with our database of over 4,000 PhDs
PhD suggestions
Based on your current search criteria we thought you might be interested in these.
Biomarkers Associated with motor Neurone Disease and Dementia development after concussion in Females and Males: BANDD.
University of Leicester
Identifying Novel targets for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and Motor Neurone Disease
University of St Andrews
Evaluating the ESCRT pathway for therapeutic development in motor neurone disease
University of Bradford
