Vitamins for the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects - biochemical and genetic mechanisms

A 3-year PhD Studentship is available within the Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL Institute of Child Health under the supervision of Professor Nick Greene, Professor Andrew Copp and Professor Phil Stanier. The studentship will be carried out in a well-established research group focussing on the embryonic processes of early nervous system development, using a range of developmental biology, biochemical and genetic approaches.

The purpose of the proposed investigation:
Neural tube defects (NTDs; e.g. spina bifida) are severe birth defects resulting from failure of embryonic neural tube closure. Folic acid (FA) can prevent a proportion of NTDs but not all. This project focuses on another nutrient, inositol, which has been found to prevent NTDs in mouse models of NTDs and has been tested for prevention of NTDs in a pilot clinical trial in pregnant women in the UK.

One key interest of the research group is to understand the relationship between nutrition, maternal and embryonic metabolism and susceptibility to NTDs. The PhD project will use established human sample cohorts and genome data, to identify genetic factors that influence maternal and embryonic inositol status during neurulation. Inositol-associated genes will be investigated as candidate genes for NTDs in humans and mice. Functional studies of key candidate genes will be performed in mouse models to test whether there is a direct effect on inositol status and/or susceptibility to NTDs.

The student will receive training in a range of techniques including mass spectrometry, analysis of genomic datasets and gene sequencing. In parallel they will become familiar with techniques of developmental biology, including whole embryo culture and RNA and protein expression analysis, with a special focus on neurulation.

• Project Description (for more details, see https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ich/education/fellowships-studentships/phd-studentships/phd-studentships-2016-17/n-greene-projdesc)

The project will be suitable for a student with a BSc in Biochemistry, Developmental Biology, Genetics or a similar discipline. Applicants should have or expect to receive a first class or upper second class honours degree and should be ordinarily resident in the UK or EU. Knowledge and laboratory experience of research in biochemistry or developmental biology would be an advantage. The student will receive a stipend starting at £16,785 per annum as well as the cost of tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. The studentship is funded by SPARKS.

To apply, please send a current CV including the contact details of two professional referees, and a covering letter explaining your reasons for applying for this studentship, and giving details of any relevant experience. The application should be sent to Serife Dervish, Programme Manager for Developmental Biology & Cancer ([Email Address Removed]). Enquiries regarding the PhD can be made direct to Professor Nick Greene ([Email Address Removed]). The group’s research programme is summarised at https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ich/research/developmental-biology-cancer/developmental-biology-birth-defects/copp-greene-research-group

Deadline for receipt of applications: Sunday 18th June 2017
Interviews will take place during late June 2017.