A role for metabotropic glutamate receptor signalling in healthy ageing

Applications are invited from ambitious, self-motivated candidates to study the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors in ageing using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a model system. The successful candidate will join the active research groups of Dr Cathy Slack and Prof. David Poyner. 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.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are G-protein coupled receptors that bind to the amino acid, L-glutamate, to modulate intracellular signal transduction cascades. Primarily known for their role in neurotransmission, mGluRs are also expressed in a wide variety of tissues outside of the nervous system including the pancreas, lymphocytes and the intestine, suggesting that they may function in more diverse processes. Several intracellular signalling cascades are activated in response to mGluR stimulation including the PI3K and MAPK/ERK signalling pathways, both of which play important, evolutionary conserved roles in animal ageing. Importantly, mGluRs have been a focus for pharmacological interventions, as aberrant mGluR signalling in the brain has long been associated with neurological disorders, and may also contribute to the pathogenesis of age-related neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s.

In this project, the student will combine the power of Drosophila genetics with pharmacological interventions to study the role of mGluR signalling during ageing using an in vivo model system. The student will gain experience of a wide range of techniques including Drosophila genetics, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, molecular biology, biochemical analysis of protein expression, and behavioural assays. Together, these studies will provide a comprehensive understanding of how mGluR signalling affects both lifespan and age-related health with the potential to highlight novel pharmacological targets against, which we could develop interventions to diminish the detrimental effects of ageing.
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 in January 2017.
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 Cathy Slack (E-mail: [Email Address Removed]; Telephone: 0121 204 4017).
● 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: ‘PhD_Slack’ on all applications.
● The Closing Date for All Applications is: Sunday, 11th December 2016.