PhD Studentship in Cell and Molecular Biosciences - Identification of active compounds’ targets to prevent skin ageing

Number of awards:

1

Start date and duration:

24 September 2018 for 3.5 years.

Application closing date:

Applications will be considered until a suitable candidate is found.

Overview:

This project will investigate causal molecular mechanism of human skin senescence with under-used pharmacological intervention potential. A suite of human in vitro and ex-vivo ageing skin models developed in the labs of project partners will be used to test whether suppression of cell senescence can improve function of aged human skin. Organotypic in-vitro cultures and skin samples ex vivo will be used to measure the impact senolytics and senostatics on skin morphology, dermal (equivalent) differentiation, barrier function and wound healing.

The student will also study specific key pathways leading to senescence, such as mTOR-driven mitophagy, and how their targeting impacts on mitochondrial dysfunction, cell senescence and functional decline in 3D models of ageing human skin. These mechanistic experiments will identify novel signalling hubs in cell senescence-driven skin ageing. To translate these results, the student will design a screening pipeline and screen for small molecules that postpone or revert human skin ageing based on our organotypic models.

Sponsor

BBSRC, Procter and Gamble Global Life Sciences (USA).

Name of supervisor(s):

Dr Viktor Korolchuk (https://bitly.im/DFTKM) (Newcastle University - https://bitly.im/UCIxB)
Professor Thomas von Zglinicki (https://bitly.im/mUwIN) (Newcastle University - https://bitly.im/UCIxB)
Professor Stefan Przyborski (Durham University)
Procter and Gamble Global Life Sciences Open Innovation Corporate R and D and Life Sciences Transformative Technology Platform (USA)

Eligibility Criteria:

You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent, in a subject relating to Biomedical Sciences, including: Biochemistry, Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics. A further qualification such as an MRes is advantageous.

The award is available to UK/EU applicants only. Depending on how you meet the BBSRC’s eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to a full or a partial award.

How to apply:

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

Only mandatory fields need to be completed. However, you will need to include the following information:
•insert the programme code 8300F* in the programme of study section
•select ‘PhD in the Faculty of Medical Sciences – Cell and Molecular Biosciences’ as the programme of study
•insert the studentship code CB146 in the studentship/partnership reference field
•attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote the studentship reference code CB146 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.

Contact:

For further information, please email Dr Viktor Korolchuk (https://bitly.im/DFTKM), Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences (https://bitly.im/naDcw), Newcastle University (https://bitly.im/UCIxB).