Prof M Panagiotidis
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
Waste valorisation requires that high value products and/or processes can be developed from its exploitation so that they can contribute to sustainable solutions for the bio-based industrial sector(s). To these ends, isothiocyanates are phytochemicals derived from cruciferous vegetables and are responsible for exerting a plethora of biological effects, thus promoting their utilization in human health and disease.
The proposed project will aim to (i) develop processes for bench-scale extraction of isothiocyanates derived from various waste sources of cruciferous vegetables and (ii) characterize their skin anti-aging properties for potential utilization by the relevant industrial bio-based sector(s). More specifically, the proposed project will investigate into skin aging in which a defective apoptotic pathway constitutes a major deregulation as part of its pathophysiology. The ability of several isothiocyanates (sulphoraphane, benzyl, phenethyl and allyl isothiocyanates) to induce an anti-aging role will be demonstrated by utilizing in vitro and ex vivo experimental models using human cell lines, primary cells and reconstituted human tissue models. Moreover, genomic, proteomic and epigenetic methodologies will be employed in order to identify and characterize key apoptotic genes, and associated proteins, which become deregulated during the process of skin aging. Such knowledge will allow not only to delineate underlined mechanisms(s) involved in the apoptotic deregulation, and how isothiocyanates are involved, but also to develop biomarkers descriptive of specific profiles of apoptosis-related alterations which could open up the way for more efficient skin anti-aging strategies.
Finally, the proposed project adopts a multidisciplinary approach by bringing together expertise from food, nutritional and biomedical sciences in order to build capacity and expertise around the bio-economy sector which represents one of the multidisciplinary research themes of utmost importance and investemnet for Northumbria University.
Eligibility and How to Apply
Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required (evidence required by 1 August 2017).
For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/
Please ensure you quote the advert reference above on your application form.
Start Date: 2 October 2017
Northumbria University is an equal opportunities provider and in welcoming applications for studentships from all sectors of the community we strongly encourage applications from women and under-represented groups.
Funding Notes
This project is being considered for funding in competition with other projects, through one of two types of funding packages available:
• Fully funded studentships include a full stipend, paid for three years at RCUK rates (for 2017/18 this is £14,553 pa) and fees (Home/EU £4,350 / International £13,000), and are available to applicants worldwide.
• As Northumbria celebrates its 25th anniversary as a University and in line with our international outlook, some projects may also be offered to students from outside of the EU supported by a half-fee reduction.
References
Mantso T, Sfakianos A, Atkinson A, Anestopoulos I, Mitsiogianni M, Botaitis S, Perente S, Simopoulos C, Vasileiadis S, Franco R, Pappa A, Panayiotidis MI. Development of a novel experimental in vitro model of isothiocyanate-induced apoptosis in human malignant melanoma cells. Anticancer Res 2016 (in press)
Kleszczynski K, Enst IM, Wagner AE, Kruse N, Zillikens D, Rimbach G, Fischer TW. Sulphoraphane and phenethyl isothiocyanate protect human skin against UVR-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis: role of Nrf2-dependent gene expression and antioxidant enzymes. Pharmacol Res 78: 28-40, 2013
Dinkova-Kostova AT. Phytochemicals as protectors against ultraviolet radiation: versatility of effects and mechanisms. Planta Med 74(13): 1548-59, 2008
Talalay P, Fahey JW, Healy ZR, Wehage SL, Benedict AL, Min C, Dinkova-Kostova AT. Sulporaphane mobilizes cellular defences that protect skin against damage by UV radiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA104(44): 17500-5, 2007
Dinkova-Kostova AT, Kostov RV. Glucosinolates and isothiocyanates in health and disease. Trends Mol Med 18(6): 337-47, 2012