Exploring mechanisms of age-related disuse atrophy and optimal rehabilitation strategies for the restoration of muscle mass, structure & function in older adults.

Research interests/description of main research theme:
Skeletal muscles serve as the central node for locomotion and whole-body metabolic health. Muscle contraction in the form of exercise is well-established to improve metabolic health and induce favourable physiological adaptations in skeletal muscle. In contrast to this, reduced muscle contraction in the form of disuse (e.g. casting or bed-rest) has the opposite effect; causing muscle atrophy and functional decline. There is however, a poor understanding of the metabolic and molecular regulation of disuse atrophy (DA) in humans. Therefore, given the numerous circumstances in which older people may suffer periods of skeletal muscle disuse (e.g., illness, surgery), this PhD will address a number of knowledge gaps in relation to the regulation of DA in older adults. Specifically, using the observed phenomenon of atrophy resistance; in which different skeletal muscles atrophy at different rates, the aim of this PhD is to investigate the regulation of DA in older adults during short-term (rapid-atrophy phase) immobilization (e.g., links to cell signalling, muscle microvascular blood flow, muscle protein metabolism, muscle fibre degeneration and neuromuscular function), and explore possible exercise and nutrition-based rehabilitation strategies.

Throughout the PhD the appointed student will have access to world-class facilities and training at both the University of Nottingham and the University of Birmingham. The host research group for this studentship, Clinical, Metabolic & Molecular Physiology at the University of Nottingham are world-leaders in mechanistic and metabolic research studies in musculoskeletal disease and healthy ageing, and as such will provide the appointed student with a unique opportunity to learn diverse cutting-edge research skills from clinical physiology measurements through to state-of-the-art mass spectrometry methods. In addition to this, the appointed student will spend ~6 months at the University of Copenhagen under the supervision of Dr Abigail Mackey, learning and applying a number of skeletal muscle-based imaging techniques (e.g., immunohistochemistry (IHC) and hematoxylin & eosin (H&E)) to assess muscle fibre de/re-generation, satellite cell activity and telomere length in relation to the project outlined above.

Person Specification:
Applicants should have a strong background in human physiology, and ideally a background or knowledge of skeletal muscle adaptation. They should have a commitment to research in age-related skeletal muscle physiology and hold or realistically expect to obtain at least an Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a relevant subject. A relevant Master’s degree would be an advantage but is not essential.

This study is being supported by the MRC-ARUK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research.
General information about the Centre and the Academic Institutions supervising this PhD can be found at:

MRC-ARUK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/generic/mrc-aruk/home.aspx

University of Nottingham, School of Medicine: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/medicine/index.aspx

University of Birmingham, School of Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation Sciences: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/sport-exercise/index.aspx

How to apply:
Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Bethan Phillips at [Email Address Removed] or 01332 724676
Applications should be directed to Dr Lisa Fuller at [Email Address Removed]
To apply, please send:
• A detailed CV, including your nationality and country of birth;
• Names and addresses of two referees;
• A covering letter stating the project you are applying for and highlighting your research experience/capabilities

The interview date will be Monday the 5th of March 2018.