BBSRC SWBio DTP PhD studentship: Role of microRNAs in regulating the neuroendocrine stress response in the ageing brain

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio DTP) which is a BBSRC-funded PhD training programme in the biosciences, delivered by a consortium comprising the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter, along with the Rothamsted Research Institute. 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 September/October 2017.

All SWBio DTP projects will be supervised by an interdisciplinary team of academic staff and follow a structured 4-year PhD model, combining traditional project-focussed studies with a supporting but focussed taught first year with directed rotation projects.

Supervisors for this project:

Main supervisor: Dr Sarah Bailey (University of Bath)
Second supervisor: Prof Mark Lindsay (University of Bath)
Others in supervisory team: : Prof Jeremy Hall (College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University)

Project description:

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis mediates the body’s neuroendocrine response to a range of physical and psychological stressors. The HPA, acting through a number of hormonal mediators (corticotrophin releasing hormone, vasopressin, glucocorticoids), is essential in coordinating both rapid and long-term behavioural, physiological and molecular adaptations to stress. Ongoing work in our laboratory has shown that juvenile animals may respond differently to stressors than adult animals do. The aim of this project is to investigate the biological mechanisms underlying the differential response to stress in juvenile and adult populations. In this project the role of micro RNAs (miRNAs) in regulating gene expression in the HPA will be investigated. Combining in vivo behavioural approaches with bioinformatics and next generation sequencing this project will examine how miRNAs regulate gene expression in the HPA, how this affects the response to stress and how this may change as the animal ages.

The approach will be to use in vivo animal studies of behaviour, coupled with assessment of neuroendocrinological measures, as well as the molecular analysis of isolated. Training will be provided in in vivo behavioural pharmacology and all bioinformatics and molecular techniques. PhD students are actively encouraged to attend scientific meetings and publish their data.

PhD students will join a vibrant group of neuropharmacology researchers working on a variety of projects across the Department. Through journal clubs and other informal activities students support one another with shared experiences and expertise. There are also excellent opportunities for generic skills training e.g. public engagement activities. At the end of this PhD you will have acquired the skills to plan and undertake independent research and you will be equipped to follow a variety of different postgraduate career paths.

For further information about this research at the University of Bath:
http://www.bath.ac.uk/pharmacy/contacts/academics/sarah_bailey/
http://www.bath.ac.uk/pharmacy/contacts/academics/mark_lindsay/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXT82gUHn-Y (a current PhD student)

Applicants must 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. In addition, due to the strong mathematical component of the taught course in the first year and the quantitative emphasis in SWBio DTP projects, a minimum of a grade B in A-level Maths (or an equivalent qualification or experience) is required.