Dr Yasser Abdel-Wahab
No more applications being accepted
Self-Funded PhD Students Only
About the Project
Supervisors
Dr Yasser Abdel-Wahab
Prof Neville H McClenaghan
This project is available on a self-funded basis
Project Description
Before the discovery of insulin in 1922, diets and plant-based treatments were the common approaches to diabetes therapy. In addition to metformin that was developed from a Galega officinalis, research evidence is being increasingly published to show that many plant derived bioactive compounds have the potential for development into drugs for treating type-2 diabetes. Previous studies in our laboratory have also provided research evidence for the potential of extracts of some plant species as candidates for development into antidiabetic agents. These include plants such as Humulus lupulus, Medicago sativa, Agrimony eupatoria, Ocimum sanctum, Terminalia bellirica, Asparagus racemosus and many more. Recently, we isolated a number of insulinotropic compounds from the extracts of Tamarindus indica and Tinospora cordifolia. These compounds exhibited potent in vitro insulin-releasing effects on BRIN-BD11 cells. They also improved glucose tolerance and enhanced insulin release in animals with obesity-diabetes on a short-term basis.
The overall aim of this research is structural characterization and evaluation of biological activities of compounds recently isolated from extracts of Tamarindus indica and Tinospora cordifolia for potential development as novel type 2 diabetes drugs. It may also be possible to incorporate into the project other plant species with reputed antidiabetic properties depending on the interests of the applicant.
The proposed research will provide training in a wide range of techniques including: RP-HPLC, NMR, Ultrasound-assisted sequential extraction, Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), Flash Chromatography, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry; tissue culture; measurement of insulin secretion, signalling molecules (intracellular Ca2+ and other second messenger pathways); peptide iodination, cell morphology; ELISA; RIA; short studies in animal of obesity-diabetes.
The applicant should ideally have good practical laboratory, computer and skills and show enthusiasm and commitment to work diligently on all aspects the research project to completion under the leadership of his/her supervisors.
Informal enquiries to Dr Yasser Abdel-Wahab ([Email Address Removed]) are welcomed
How to apply for this project:
http://www.ulster.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/phdresearch-degrees/how-to-apply
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/
Closing date for Applications is 24 February 2017.
How to apply for this project:
http://www.ulster.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/phdresearch-degrees/how-to-apply
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