Dr J Johnson, Prof A Devitt
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Fully-Funded Full-Time PhD Studentship
Dr Jill Johnson & Dr Andrew Devitt
Applications are invited from ambitious, self-motivated candidates to perform in vitro and in vivo assessments of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation and migration. The successful candidate will join the active research groups of Dr Jill Johnson and Dr Andrew Devitt. This opportunity is open to UK and EU students who have at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in a biological science or a related subject.
The student will investigate the biology of pericytes in the lung, focusing on their progenitor cell capacity and migratory capability in a mouse model of chronic asthma. Pericytes are supportive structural cells that are associated with blood vessels and are found in high numbers in the lung; these cells are a type pf tissue-resident MSC. Dr Johnson’s lab has shown that, in response to chronic inflammation, pericytes are mobilised from the blood vessels and migrate toward the wall of the large airways, where they contribute to airway fibrosis, a primary pathological feature of asthma. Fibrosis refers to the deposition of excess extracellular matrix proteins in an organ, often as a result of long-term inflammation. This process leads to the destruction of the organ and a loss of function, and is currently considered irreversible. This project will shed light on the cell types responsible for lung fibrosis related to asthma, and has the potential to contribute to novel treatments for this disease by revealing mechanisms and pharmacological targets.
The student will be involved in evaluating lung pericytes using a number of techniques: 1) to assess pericyte differentiation into myofibroblasts in vivo and in vitro using differentiation assays, immunostaining and qPCR, 2) to evaluate the expression of chemokine receptors and progenitor cell markers by flow cytometry and 3) to investigate the ability of pericytes to migrate towards inflammatory mediators expressed in asthma, including chemokines and growth factors.
Aston University was ranked in 5th of 94 UK Higher Education Institutions for research in Allied Health Professions (REF 2014) and was ranked 1st for research environment. Additional information about research in the School can be found at http://www.aston.ac.uk/lhs/research/.
Application Requirements:
● Eligible Applicants should hold at least a Bachelor (Hons.) Degree of either 1st Class/ 2.1 or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
● EU Applicants will need to demonstrate adequate proficiency in English Language skills, with a minimum overall score of 93 (Internet Based) (with a minimum score in each section of: R: 18, W: 23, L: 19 and S: 19) in TOEFL or IELTS with minimum marks of 6.0 in each section and an overall band of 6.5.
● Informal enquiries should be addressed to Dr Jill Johnson (E-mail: [Email Address Removed]; Telephone: 0121 204 3264) or Dr Andrew Devitt (E-mail: [Email Address Removed]).
●To apply please complete the on-line application form at
http://www1.aston.ac.uk/lhs/research/postgraduate-research/apply/ (Select: ‘Research Biomedical Sciences’ Programme) quoting the Reference: ‘MSC_Johnson’ on all applications.
● The Closing Date for All Applications is: Sunday, 14th August 2016.
Funding Notes
Financial Support:
The studentship comprises of the current RCUK tax-free stipend of £14,296 p.a. and payment of Home/EU tuition fees only. The studentship is available for three years, subject to satisfactory progress review at the end of the first year with an anticipated Registration date of 1st October 2016.
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