Human Health & Emerging Environmental Contaminants 2: How emerging environmental contaminants affect the airways

Summary of Cluster
The focus of this interdisciplinary project is to identify how emerging environmental contaminants impact human health. Exposure to environmental contaminants can impact upon the earliest stages of embryonic development in ways that may predispose the offspring to key health threats and perhaps increase susceptibility to subsequent environmental exposures. Later life exposures, for example to air pollutants, can have negative impacts on human health, ranging from a decreased quality of life caused by the exacerbation of respiratory illnesses such as asthma to early death resulting from an increased risk of cancer
Working as part of a dedicated team, we will explore, the impact of environmental contaminants on early human development, identifying the key molecular and cellular changes induced following exposures. The implications of the key molecular and cellular changes identified in the evolution of adult diseases of the lungs, female reproductive tract and prostate gland will be investigated. Transgenerational exposure in different countries will be modelled to help understand the long-term impact of environmental contaminants on human health. For further information about this cluster please contact Prof. Jeanette Rotchell ([Email Address Removed]) in the first instance.

Summary of PhD Project 2
How emerging environmental contaminants affect the airways
Environmental pollutants such as diesel exhaust particulates, ozone and cigarette smoke can contribute to the development, exacerbation and progression of respiratory pathologies, including asthma, chronic cough, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), fibrosis and cancer. Emerging environmental contaminants include the ultrafine particles present in 3D printer dust, nanoparticles associated with the growth of nanotechnology and microplastics released by cosmetics and clothing. The aim of this project is to identify how emerging environmental contaminants aberrantly affect the airways. This will ensure that we have a clear and pre-emptive understanding about how respiratory diseases evolve and progress. The student will apply a novel model of the human airways recently developed in Hull and measure changes in airway tone, secreted proteins and gene/protein expression caused by acute/chronic exposure to known and emerging environmental contaminants. The data generated will help to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms that link emerging environmental contaminants to the development, exacerbation and progression of chronic lung diseases in exposed and susceptible individuals.

Recommended reading: Toskala & Kennedy 2015 International Forum on Allergy and Rhinology 5:S11-6; Gatford et al 2017 J Reprod Immunol 123:88-93.

Applicants must have at least a 2.1 undergraduate degree in a relevant scientific area, together with relevant research experience, and should explain why they feel their experience is relevant when preparing their application. It is anticipated that the successful applicant will have a 1st class undergraduate degree and/or Masters level qualification.

PhD students at the University of Hull follow modules for research and transferable skills development and gain a Masters level Certificate, or Diploma, in Research Training, in addition to their research degree.

Successful applicants will be informed of the award as soon as possible and by 2nd April 2018 at the latest.