Investigating the link between chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease

Patients with chronic kidney disease are 40% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, however, mechanisms driving the cardiovascular pathogenesis are unclear. We are offering an opportunity for an excellent candidate to apply for a 3 year PhD studentship examining the cellular basis of cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease.

By having access to serum samples from a large, prospectively collected and followed cohort of kidney patients (1-3) this study will afford a unique opportunity to assess the biological impact of endogenous cardiotonic steroids on both organ and cellular cardiac function, and allow development of new biomarkers for chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. Specifically, we propose to examine the role of intracellular sodium/calcium and cardiotonic steroids (4) in determining cardiac dysfunction using novel fluorescence techniques (5,6) and examine the steroidogenesis pathways. Using a translational approach, the PhD Student will utilise the full capabilities of the new Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Birmingham. The impact of endogenous cardiotonic steroids on cardiovascular pathogenesis will be examined by a combination of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, novel fluorescence bioassays and use of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, within the laboratory of Dr Davor Pavlovic at the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Prof Wiebke Arlt and Dr Angela Taylor at the Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research. The key outcomes of the PhD Studentship will be: 1. Development of analytical tools for detection and quantification of cardiotonic steroids; 2. A paper on the role of endogenous cardiotonic steroids in development of cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease; 3. A paper on the steroid synthesis and conversion pathways.

Research Environment and Learning Outcomes: Required equipment is available at the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and the Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research. The supervisory team provides a full translational approach, including basic science (Dr Pavlovic and Dr Taylor) and the interface between these disciplines (Prof Arlt).

Person Specification
Applicants should have a commitment to cardiovascular research and have an interest in translational medicine (application of basic science skills to advance clinical practice). Applicants should preferably have some experience in analytical chemistry techniques (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry), cellular and organ level cardiovascular methods, electrophysiology and molecular biology techniques. Applicants need to be able to work as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
For more information about the Pavlovic research group, the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research and Brimingham Cardiorenal group please see :

http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/cardiovascular-sciences/pavlovic-davor.aspx
http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/cardiovascular-sciences/index.aspx
http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/metabolism-systems/index.aspx
http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/cardiovascular-sciences/research/bcrg/index.aspx

To find out more about studying for a PhD at the University of Birmingham, including full details of the research undertaken in each Institute, the funding opportunities for each subject, and guidance on making your application, you can now order your copy of the new Doctoral Research Prospectus, at: www.birmingham.ac.uk/students/drp.aspx

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering email/letter for consideration to Dr Davor Pavlovic.