Prof G Ahlenstiel, Dr S read
Applications accepted all year round
Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
Applications are currently being accepted for a 3 year PhD project in the immunology of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) at Western Sydney University Blacktown and the Westmead Institute for Medical Research. The project will be conducted in the research group of Professor Golo Ahlenstiel and will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterised by the accumulation of excess fat in the liver, termed steatosis. NAFLD encompasses simple steatosis and its inflammatory state called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) which is a core driver of liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This project will focus on the generation of colon and liver organoid culture systems to study the interaction between intestinal immunity and permeability with liver inflammation in NASH.
Organoids are three dimensional structures grown in vitro from primary tissue that retain the characteristics of their primary source, including self-renewal, organisation, and differentiation. As such, they are an optimal model to study the influence of genetic and environmental factors on disease progression and treatment. Using in vitro co-culture systems, this project will examine the factors that contribute to “leaky gut” in NASH, and how translocating microbes influence liver inflammation. In addition to enteric bacterial, fungal and human viruses, this project will contain a unique focus on bacteriophages, and their contribution to chronic immune stimulation in both the gut and liver. This study utilises cutting edge primary cell culture, flow cytometry and molecular biology techniques to discover unknown connections between gut and liver immunity, and will enable a better understanding of inter-organ interactions that contribute to NASH pathogenesis.
Applicants should submit their CV and a covering letter, including full contact details of two referees, to Dr Scott Read at [Email Address Removed].
Funding Notes
We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds, that possess laboratory experience and a background in health science or molecular biology. The successful applicant should:
•hold qualifications equal to either (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) Research Master’s degree, or (iii) equivalent overseas qualifications.
•demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to immunology and disease.
•understand of the importance of identifying the mechanisms of disease in order to generate novel treatments and interventions.
•be willing to learn novel lab based and analytical techniques using a variety or advanced instrumentation.
•meet English language proficiency (international applicants)
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