About the Project
Three year PhD (with enhanced stipend), part of collaboration between Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) and Devenish Nutrition.
Clinical trials, controlled metabolic interventions and prospective cohort studies indicate that the substitution of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and trans fatty acids (TFA) for polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) lowers mortality and markers of CVD risk. Most public health policies in developed Countries recommend population wide decreases in the consumption of SFA and TFA and an increase in PUFA intake to lower the incidence of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Despite the establishment of nutritional guidelines, dietary surveys indicate that the intakes of SFA typically exceed recommended levels, whilst the consumption of PUFA, specifically n-3 PUFA is often below the optimal range. The majority of PUFA in the human diet originates from plant oils and vegetable fats containing relatively high proportions of linoleic acid and linolenic acid, while intakes of long chain n-3 PUFA, contained in oily fish fall short of a recommended target of 450 mg/d. In most developed countries, meat and meat products are a significant source of fat and SFA in the human diet, but also contribute to long chain n-3 PUFA consumption. Ruminant-derived meat and meat products are also a source of TFA in the human diet. Altering the fat content and fatty acid composition of meat and meat products offers the opportunity to realign the consumption of FA in human populations closer to Public Health guidelines for lowering the incidence of non-communicable diseases without requiring substantive changes in consumer eating habits.
Digestion of dietary lipid in ruminants relative to monogastrics is far more complicated due to the metabolic activity of the microbial community in the rumen-reticulum. As a result, meat from ruminant animals, such as beef and lamb, contains a more diverse range of fatty acids (FA) that bear little resemblance to the composition and amount of FA supplied by the diet. Dietary unsaturated FA, PUFA in particular, have toxic effects on certain rumen microorganisms. To alleviate the inhibitory effects on growth, the rumen microbiome has evolved to secrete proteins capable of hydrolysing esters bonds of esterified FA and decreasing the degree of unsaturation of the free FA released through reduction, isomerization or hydration. Lipolysis and biohydrogenation result in extensive metabolism of dietary PUFA to saturated end-products limiting the escape of dietary PUFA from the rumen. Understanding the mechanisms responsible and microbiota and their associated enzymes capable of these reactions is central to future attempts to develop nutritional strategies for strategic and more predictable changes in the FA composition of ruminant meat.
This studentship will adopt a twin approach to explore objectives to alter rumen lipid digestion and metabolism in relation to informing strategies to enhance the lipid profile of ruminant meat, in particular in relation to long chain n-3 PUFA, (1) impact of dietary n-3 rich lipids (including microalgae) on lipolysis and biohydrogenation by rumen microbiota and (2) novel methodologies to “protect” dietary n-3 rich dietary lipids from exposure to rumen microbiota.
This studentship provides an opportunity to gain world-class expertise in animal nutrition, rumen microbiology and bioinformatics in relation to opportunities to improve the nutritional value of ruminant foods for the consumer. Training in lipid profiling, molecular techniques, bioinformatics and animal experimentation. Successful candidate will be supervised by a team of internationally recognised scientists and benefit from working in partnership with Devenish Nutrition, a global leader and innovator in agri-technology supplying quality feeds for pig, poultry and ruminant sectors.
Student will be based primarily in QUB, project includes minimum 3-month industrial placement at Devenish Nutrition (UK).
REQUIREMENTS
Candidates should have a First class or Upper Second honours degree in Food Science, Agriculture, or Biological Sciences or related discipline and/or an MSc in related discipline.
English Language
Candidates applying from countries where the first language is not English should produce evidence of their competence through a qualification such as IELTS or TOEFL score.
Evidence of IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required.
*Taken within last 2 years
For a list of English Language qualifications also accepted by the School and University please see the following link:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/home/StudyatQueens/InternationalStudents/EnglishLanguageRequirements/
Please follow the link for comprehensive information, http://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Course-Finder/PCF1718/PRCF1718/Course/FoodSafetyandNutrition.html
Funding Notes
*FUNDING CONFIRMED - DfE CAST Award*
DfE Research Studentship & Devenish Nutrition - 3 YEAR PROJECT
Eligibility for both fees and maintenance (£16,553 for 2017/18) depends on the applicants being either an ordinary UK resident or those EU residents who have lived permanently in the UK for the 3 years immediately preceding the start of the studentship.
Non UK residents who hold EU residency may also apply but if successful may receive fees only.
For further details re eligibility criteria (including academic, citizenship and residency criteria) please click on the following link: http://www.delni.gov.uk/index/further-and-higher-education/higher-education/studentfinance/he-student-info-postgrad-finance.htm