Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research (WCMR) – PhD Studentship in Characterisation of mitochondrial morphology in skeletal muscle

Number of awards

1

Start date and duration

September 2018 for 3 years.

Application closing date:

Applications accepted until the position is filled.

Overview

This is one of four studentships available in the WCMR. Incoming students will be engaged in research projects that will integrate across the groups within the WCMR, offering a vibrant multidisciplinary training environment. The Centre has an excellent track record in training and mentoring both basic and clinical scientists at this level.

This study aims to systematically assess mitochondrial morphology in skeletal muscle using electron microscopy.

The project will be broken into a three main parts:
•Assessment of muscle from patients with single, large scale mtDNA deletions and m.3243A>G mtDNA mutations and known mitochondrial myopathy. Cells classified as i) COX positive or deficient and ii) Fibre type I or II will be compared for mitochondrial volume, density and morphology. Muscle biopsies before and after Acipimox treatment will be compared.
•The comparison of control human and mouse muscle to quantitatively assess differences in mitochondrial morphology.
•Investigation of mitochondrial nanotunnels.

This project will improve the understanding of factors affecting mitochondrial morphology and the suitability of mouse models.

Research activities within the Centre are built on our long standing clinical and scientific expertise in mitochondrial biology and disease, with more than 50 researchers engaged in research projects spanning clinical aspects through diagnosis and gene discovery to fundamental science investigating molecular mechanisms and mitochondrial gene expression.

We are committed to providing the best care for our patients by developing new strategies for preventing or treating mitochondrial disease. This is dependent upon high quality basic and clinical research, to which incoming students will contribute, allowing us to better understand the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial disease.

Sponsor:

Newcastle University (https://bitly.im/6PFw0)

Name of supervisor(s):

Dr Amy Vincent (https://bitly.im/eeg4X), Dr Grainne Gorman, Dr Kath White, Professor Sir Doug Turnbull

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must have a BSc (Hons) in an appropriate scientific speciality at either a first or 2:1 level.

Applications are invited from highly qualified and motivated students for PhD training.

The award is available to UK/EU and international applicants.

How to apply:

You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system. To do this please ‘Create a new account’ (https://bitly.im/lm3GM).

Only mandatory fields need to be completed, but you must include the following information:
•insert the programme code 8300F in the programme of study section
•select ‘PhD in the Faculty of Medical Sciences - Neuroscience’ as the programme of study
•insert the studentship code IN093 in the studentship/partnership reference field
•attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote studentship reference IN093 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project
•attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.