Does endothelial Nox4 NADPH oxidase play a key role in the development and progression of diabetic cardiac remodelling

*FUNDING CONFIRMED*

Diabetic patients carry an increased risk of chronic heart failure (CHF), commonly secondary to hypertension or ischaemia. However, the disease itself is an independent risk factor for CHF and the diabetic heart displays characteristic structural changes independently of ischaemia, namely excessive collagen accumulation, diastolic dysfunction, inflammation and microvascular changes, which may underlie increased susceptibility to cardiac stress and accelerated CHF progression. Our group and others have established NADPH oxidases as key players in the development and progression of hypertensive and ischaemic cardiac remodelling and emerging evidence has highlighted endothelial Nox4 as a key regulator of cardiovascular function which also exerts anti-inflammatory actions. As microvascular dysfunction and inflammation are particular features of the diabetic heart, this project aims to study the specific role of endothelial Nox4 in this unique setting to establish whether it (1) makes a key contribution to distinct aspects of cardiovascular remodelling in diabetes, and (2) exerts specific actions on characteristic cardiac inflammation and extracellular matrix remodelling. We are confident that the results of this project will identify endothelial Nox4 as a key regulator of diabetic cardiac remodelling and highlight specific signalling processes as potential therapeutic targets which may be exploited to reduce CHF progression in diabetes.

REQUIREMENTS

Candidates should have or expect to obtain a 2:1 or higher Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant biomedical or life sciences subject.

English Language

Candidates applying from countries where the first language is not English should produce evidence of their competence through a qualification such as IELTS or TOEFL score.

The minimum recommended score for the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science is:
• IELTS score of 6.0 with not less than 5.5 in each of the four component elements of listening, reading, speaking and writing taken within the last 2 years;
• TOEFL score of 80+ (internet basted test), taken within the last 2 years, with minimum component scores of; Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 17);
• A valid Certificate of Proficiency in English grade A or B;
• A valid Certificate of Advanced English grade A; or
• A first or upper second class honours degree from a university based in the UK, Republic of Ireland or other suitably quality assured location in a country deemed by the UK Border Agency to be majority English speaking.

For a list of English Language qualifications also accepted by the School and University please see the following link:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/home/StudyatQueens/InternationalStudents/EnglishLanguageRequirements/

The English Language Unit (ELU) offers both pre-sessional and in-sessional courses in English for academic purposes and study skills. Courses vary in length and full information can be obtained from the ELU http://www.qub.ac.uk/tefl/