The involvement of macrophage heterogeneity and plasticity in cardiac regeneration using cutting-edge molecular and imaging techniques

We are looking for a motivated candidate for a PhD studentship in the laboratory of Dr. Suphansa Sawamiphak at the British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular Science (BHF-CVS), University of Edinburgh. The group uses zebrafish to elucidate how hematopoietic-cardiac cell interactions regulate cardiac repair.

Project Description
It has been proposed that inflammatory response to acute cardiac cell death might be a main culprit that limits regeneration while promoting fibrotic scarring in the mammalian heart. Macrophages, one of the earliest responders recruited to the injury sites, play fundamental roles in inflammation. Intriguingly, contrary to earlier dogma, recent evidences show that macrophages are indispensable for tissue regeneration. It is now widely accepted that macrophages are multifunctional, heterogeneous, and remarkably plastic cells. A better understanding of the functions of distinct macrophage populations holds promise for therapeutic approaches to aid cardiac repair.

The successful candidate will engage in a project aiming to clarify the involvement of macrophage heterogeneity and plasticity in cardiac regeneration using cutting-edge molecular and imaging techniques. Zebrafish, which possesses an attractive combination of intrinsic cardiac regenerative ability, genetic tractability, and optical transparency which allows superior conditions for in vivo imaging, represents an exceptional model for this study. Specific objectives of the project are:

1) To characterize heterogeneous populations of macrophages and identify regulators of their phenotypic alteration.

2) To understand the roles of distinct macrophage subsets in injured hearts.

3) To gain mechanistic insight of macrophage differentiation and regenerative functions.

The project will enable the PhD candidate to gain experience in a range of techniques in zebrafish genetics, developmental biology, molecular and cell biology, cardiac injury and regeneration, microscopy, bioinformatic analysis, and transgenesis. Applications including a statement of interest and full CV with names and contact information of three academic referees should be sent to: Lynn Meikle ([Email Address Removed]), Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh.

International students should also apply for an Edinburgh Global Research Studentship (http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/student-funding/postgraduate/international/global/research).

ALL APPLICATION PROCEDURES MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE CLOSING DATE 31st May 2016

Applicants are expected to have a good honours degree in sciences (biological, chemical or physical), at least UK level of 2.1 or the equivalent from non-UK universities. A Master’s degree in a relevant subject would be an advantage.

Interviews are expected to take place during June/July 2016, the successful applicant beginning studies in September/October 2016.

The Little France Campus
The BHF-CVS is located on the third floor of the Queen’s Medical Research Institute on the University of Edinburgh’s Medical Campus at Little France. The Centre enjoys close collaborative links with the other Centres on the Little France Campus including the MRC Centre for Inflammation Research (MRC-CIR); MRC Centre for Reproductive Health (CRH), the Clinical Research Imaging Centre (CRIC) and the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM). The campus has a thriving postgraduate community.