Prof M Lucitt
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
The PhD project is supported by a Provost PhD Project Award and by our industry collaborative partner Marigot Ltd. The academic industry collaboration will provide a distinctive educational opportunity and training experience leading to a scholar with a unique set of transferrable skills and instil the process of translating research outcomes in a commercial setting.
The project specifically will investigate the effects of Aquamin supplementation on the pathogenesis of metabolic and cardiovascular disease in vivo using preclinical models of disease. Calcium supplementation agents are overwhelmingly prescribed to promote bone health, with accumulating evidence to indicate that they may also have more wide ranging health benefits. Aquamin is a natural multi-mineral complex, which contains calcium as its major component. Aquamin supplements, known to improve bone health, may also exhibit cardioprotective effects through its lipid lowering and anti-inflammatory properties. Investigations into the precise mechanisms through which Aquamin modulates inflammation in the context of metabolic dysfunction and consequent atherosclerosis will be carried out.
The student will be supervised by Dr Margaret Lucitt, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity College Dublin, located in the Trinity Centre at St James’ Hospital.
Project Objectives
Studies will be carried out to determine if Aquamin supplementation affects metabolic dysfunction in preclinical models of disease exposed to a high fat ‘western diet. In conjunction studies to determine if Aquamin supplementation affects atherosclerosis disease development in an established preclinical model will also be investigated. Macrophages are most strongly implicated as central mediators of atherosclerosis. Investigations into the effects of Aquamin on the inflammatory properties of these cells are proposed to identify potential molecular mechanistic properties.
Expected Outcomes
Together, the studies detailed above will provide a complete investigation of whether Aquamin represents a novel therapeutic intervention in the pathogenesis of metabolic disease and subsequent development of atherosclerosis.
Closing Date for Applications
Applications will close 1 June 2018. As we expect great interest in this funded PhD studentship early application is advised.
Application Requirements
Candidates must have a minimum 2.1 grade in an honours degree (GPA of 3.2/4) to be considered for entry to Trinity College Dublin. Individual PI's may have additional specific entry requirements. General information on entry to Trinity College Dublin is available at: www.tcd.ie/courses/postgraduate/faculty/
How to Apply
Interested candidates should contact the PI for this project directly, Prof. Margaret Lucitt E: [Email Address Removed], in the first instance. Additional information on how to apply to our PhD programmes is available at: www.tcd.ie/courses/postgraduate/research/az.php
Funding Notes
This Trinity College Dublin, Provost’s PhD Project Award is open to EU and Non-EU candidates and includes full tuition fees and an annual stipend of €16,000 for four years, beginning in September 2018. These prestigious doctoral awards are generously funded through alumni donations and Trinity’s Commercial Revenue Unit.
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