About the Project
Supervisors: Prof. Finbarr O’Harte & Dr. Philip Allsopp
Background to the project (200 words Max):
Marine sources, e.g. blue whiting and boarfish represent sustainable candidate raw materials for mining novel bioactive peptides for combatting common metabolic disorders. The ability of marine protein-derived peptides to modulate biomarkers associated with cardiometabolic risk, including obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease will be assessed using initial in vitro approaches. Pilot studies have indicated that fish protein hydrolysates elicit marked insulin releasing activity in cultured pancreatic beta-cells as well as DPP-4 inhibitory actions. Initial screening of crude peptide hydrolysates or HPLC separated fraction components will be tested for insulin, GLP-1 or PYY/CCK releasing abilities in cultured pancreatic BRIN-BD11, GLUTag or STC-1 cells, respectively. Bioactive marine protein hydrolysates will be further assessed for dose-dependent effects in normal and diabetic mice. This project aims to validate the hypothesis that marine peptides can improve the management of cardiometabolic risk.
Following laboratory training (0 to 4 months) the student will gain expertise in a range of screening assay techniques which are already available. The overall objective of the initial in vitro tasks (month 6 to 18) will be to investigate two different marine sources using various in vitro bioassays including assessment of appetite related peptides for bioassay guided optimisation of hydrolysate generation and peptide enrichment and purification. Some of the bioactive fractions will have their peptides content characterised and identified using HPLC and MS analysis and synthesised for further testing. In years 2 and 3 acute in vivo testing will be performed in mice given orally ingested marine protein hydrolysates examining glucose tolerance, insulinotropic responses and inflammatory cytokine responses. Chronic hydrolysate administration on energy metabolism and appetite control will be assessed in high fat fed mice. Thus the initial assessment of marine hydrolysates for use in potential functional foods will be assessed, which may be incorporated in a future human trial.
Informal enquiries to Prof. O’Harte ([Email Address Removed]) are welcome.
References and additional links
For more information on this project, the supervisory team and graduate studies at Ulster, please visit
http://www.science.ulster.ac.uk/gradschool/biomedical/
How to apply for this project:
http://www.ulster.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/phdresearch-degrees/how-to-apply
Closing date for Applications is 24 February 2017.
Funding Notes
The Department for the Economy (DfE) (formerly called Department for Employment and Learning (DEL))
The University has DfE research studentships available for PhD projects. These pay tuition fees and an annual maintenance award of not less than £14,553 per annum. These awards are open to holders of, or those expected to obtain, first or upper second class honours degrees and cover fees at the home rate and, for applicants with UK residence only, a maintenance allowance. Non-UK residents who hold ordinary EU residence may also apply but, if successful, will receive fees only. Applicants should indicate in the appropriate box on their University application form that they wish to apply for a DfE award. The closing date for receipt of applications will be 24 February 2017. Information on terms and conditions for DfE awards, including eligibility, can be found here: DfE Terms and Conditions for 2016/2017
Vice-Chancellor's Research Scholarships (VCRS)
A number of University funded VCRS will be available for PhD projects at Ulster. These awards are open to applicants who hold or, expect to obtain, a first or upper second class honours degree. They will cover tuition fees and a maintenance award of not less than £14,553 per annum for three years. Applications are invited from UK, European Union and overseas students. Applicants with up to one year’s current or previous registration for PhD at any institution may be considered for an award subject to the applicant providing evidence of good academic progress, formal release from all IP restrictions and ethical approval (if required). Three-year awards may be allocated to such applicants where they are taking-up a new project at Ulster. Applicants should indicate in the appropriate area on their University application form that they wish to apply for a University Studentship/VCRS award. The closing date for receipt of applications will be 24 February 2017. Information on terms and conditions for VCRS awards, including eligibility, can be found here: VCRS Terms and Conditions for 2016/2017
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