The pharmacological potential of frankincense distillation by-products; identification of active compounds and characterisation of their biological effects in cancer and cardiac cell lines

The studentship is fully funded and includes:

• A fee waiver
• A stipend of £16,298 p.a. for three and a half years
• All bench fees and consumable costs
• Funds specifically allocated for conference travel

Final date for applications: Monday 3rd July

Interviews will be held on: Monday 17th July

The candidate must be in a position to register by October 1st 2017.

Description:
For centuries, oils extracted from Frankincense - a resin harvested from trees in the genus Boswellia - have been used as a remedy in traditional medicine. That historically these oils have been used to treat conditions such arthritis suggests they have anti-inflammatory properties. Plants within this genus are known to produce Boswellic acids; a series of pentacyclic triterpene molecules that are thought to be the active compounds responsible for these traditional therapeutic properties.

More recently, limited but growing evidence suggests that isolated and purified Boswellic acids may be of significant value in modern medicine. Studies to date demonstrate that Boswellic acids can evoke apoptosis in certain cancer cell lines. Furthermore, evidence showing they improve the symptoms of auto-immune diseases such as asthma and ulcerative colitis suggest they also have anti-inflammatory actions. Despite the clear pharmacological potential of these compounds, exploratory work to date is incredibly limited. As such, there are large gaps in our understanding of their biological effects and as importantly, their natural source. For both these reasons, it is likely that the natural Boswellia source is currently therapeutically underexploited.

Although it is known that trees in the Genus Boswellia produce Boswellic acids, it is unclear to what extent and in what form they are actually present in harvested raw resins and oil extracts. Furthermore, it may be that these trees produce as of yet unidentified pharmacologically active compounds. If these sources are to be efficiently and fully exploited for their therapeutic potential, it is essential we fully understand the pharmacological chemical profile of these resins and oil extracts; a major objective of this study.

With regards to the biological actions of these natural active compounds, there exists a clear need to further investigate (1) their wider potential to treat cancer and inflammatory disease, (2) their mode of action in the prevention or attenuation of those diseases and (3) precisely which identified native compound(s) have the highest pharmacological potency. The current study seeks to take an integrated approach to advance our understanding in these areas.

Collaboration with our industrial partner UK Essential Oils Ltd places us in an ideal position to carry out this work. UK Essential Oils ltd import Frankincense resin for essential oil extraction via a process known as hydro-distillation. This process uses large quantities of raw resin and produces large quantities of oil extract and by-product. Our pilot data demonstrates that both the raw resin and by-product are fundamentally capable of killing a lung-cancer cell line suggesting both contain pharmacologically active compounds. As such, these pilot data have given rise to this larger study which seeks to determine precisely what these active compounds are and to elucidate their biological actions in cancer and cardiac cell lines.

Outline of objectives:
1. Identify the pharmacologically active compound(s) present in the raw frankincense resin and distillation by-product
2. Investigate the active compound(s) pharmacological potential to treat cancer
3. Investigate the active compound(s) pharmacological potential to treat heart disease

Candidates:
The preferred candidate must have an exceptional understanding of human physiology and pathophysiology from cell to whole-organ level. A background in analytical chemistry, in particular natural product identification and purification is also highly desirable.
Candidates will hold a minimum of an upper 2nd class degree in a relevant subject area. Completion of a Masters degree in a relevant subject area is desirable but not essential. The project will utilise a range of advanced analytical techniques for which full training will be provided. However, the successful candidate will demonstrate they have considerable general laboratory experience and exceptional general practical skills.

Candidates are asked to provide a personal statement describing their background, skills, academic interests and their motivation for doing a PhD in no more than 2 sides of A4. This should include evidence of satisfying the above requirements along with being able to work independently to a high standard, collaborate with others, and excellent scientific writing skills.

Funding: This studentship is only available to students with settled status in the UK, as classified by EPSRC eligibility. https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/eligibility/

Enquiries: Informal enquiries may be made to Dr David Greensmith by email: [Email Address Removed]

Curriculum vitae and supporting statement explaining their interest should be sent to [Email Address Removed]