Hypothalamic Control of Female Fertility- Finding new, affordable, and effective assisted reproduction therapies for women

The successful applicants will be joining an internationally-renowned research group, within one of the world’s top research universities. The department has an excellent publication record in top rated research journals and is well funded from a number of different sources, including grants recently awarded by the Wellcome Trust, the MRC and the BBSRC.

Project
There is currently a growing need for new, affordable, and effective assisted reproduction therapies for women. In order to meet this demand, we need to understand how female fertility is maintained under normal conditions and how it is disturbed during abnormal conditions; such as obesity and anorexia. We predict that during favourable conditions, a molecular sensor for estrogen in the hypothalamus interacts with activator-proteins to maintain a signalling cascade that eventually leads to ovulation. However, during unfavourable conditions, the estrogen-sensor interacts with a different set of inhibitor-proteins and the cascade is disrupted, resulting in infertility. Because these estrogen-receptor interacting proteins represent targets for the design of new drugs for assisted reproductive therapy, the goal of the PhD studentship is to identify them and understand how they work.

Training
Full training will be given in all applicable techniques. These include the use of state-of-the-art genetically modified mice, in vitro assays of nuclear receptor function, cutting-edge proteomic analysis, and quantitative gene expression analysis. The candidate will also receive training in experimental planning, data interpretation, statistical analysis, manuscript preparation, and scientific communication at major national and international conferences. These transferable skills will ensure that the candidate is in an ideal position to progress on to a successful career in academic or industrial science.

Host lab
The host lab is led by Dr Bryn Owen and Professor Waljit Dhillo. Dr Owen has expertise in nuclear hormone receptor signalling, and mouse models of female infertility, obesity, and anorexia. He trained at Imperial College and has recently returned from the USA, where he discovered a new liver-hypothalamus-ovarian axis that modulates female fertility in response to nutritional stress. Prof Dhillo has supervised 17 PhD students to completion and currently runs a vibrant research team investigating the role of gut hormones on central appetite pathways and the control of whole-body energy homeostasis. He also conducts award-winning research in to novel IVF therapies for women. The well-funded lab is ideally positioned to offer an enthusiastic scientist the opportunity to contribute to an exciting, and transformational, research programme of the highest international standard.

The student will be based on the Hammersmith campus.
Applicants must have a first or upper second class degree from a UK University or the overseas equivalent in a relevant area of biochemistry, physiology, or neuroscience. In addition a Masters degree is preferable but not essential. Experience in molecular biology and in vivo physiology is a major advantage. Applicants must also meet Imperial College’s English language requirements – further details can be found at http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/registry/admissions/pgenglish

This studentship is open to home/EU only.
In order to be eligible for a Studentship award, students must satisfy the usual eligibility criteria, including adequate academic qualifications and UK residence.
Informal enquiries and further information can be obtained from Dr Owen ([Email Address Removed] ) or Prof Dhillo ([Email Address Removed] ).