About the Project
PhD studentship
Centre for Translational Medicine & Therapeutics , William Harvey Research Institute
Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London
Project Title: New Therapeutic Approaches for Haemorrhagic Shock
Supervisor: Prof. Chris Thiemermann
Co-Supervisors: Prof. Antal Rot & Prof. Karim Brohi
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Severe injuries account for 9 % of the deaths worldwide. Although guidelines for the early management of severe blood loss (also known as haemorrhagic shock – HS) have decreased the rates of immediate and early deaths, post-injury multiple organ failure (MOF) is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Therapeutic agents that reduce the incidence and severity of MOF following HS could, therefore, have a major global impact on patient outcomes and resource utilization. To date, there are no specific pharmacological interventions, which prevent MOF or reduce organ injury/dysfunction in patients with trauma-associated HS. Macrophage inhibitory factor or MIF is a stress-regulating chemokine-like cytokine that drives systemic inflammation, but MIF may also protect organs against IRI. The respective roles of MIF family or proteins in trauma and/or trauma-associated HS are unknown. It is also unknown whether changes in MIF signalling have any effect on the organ injury and dysfunction caused by HS. The aims of the proposed project are (1) to evaluate the roles of MIF, MIF-2 and sCD74 in patients with trauma and trauma-associated HS and (2) to investigate the effects of MIF-pathway inhibition on organ injury and dysfunction caused by experimental HS. Our preliminary data suggest a therapeutic potential of inhibiting MIF-1, which we hope to be confirmed by the proposed project. We will also investigate the potential signalling pathways responsible for the protective effects of MIF-inhibition in HS and wish to understand the kinetics and clinical relevance of the MIF family proteins and the MIFgenotype in patients with trauma and trauma-associated HS. The applicant will be trained in a number of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological techniques. This study will improve our understanding of the role of MIF in trauma and trauma-associated HS.
The development novel interventions (therapeutic innovation) for the use in inflammation including trauma is at the heart of the strategy of the Centre for Inflammation and Therapeutic innovation (Acting Director: Professor Mauro Perretti; CiTI, wwwqmul.ac.uk/citi) and is one of the key objectives of the ‘Organ Protection Theme’ (headed by Prof Thiemermann) of the Centre for Trauma Sciences (www.c4TS.qmul.ac.uk). The WHRF has listed ‘Trauma’ as a current Research Priority.
The project is based in the Centre for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics in the William Harvey Research Institute under the primary supervision of Professor Chris Thiemermann, FMedSci (who has supervised 25 PhD-Studentships to completion within 4-years).
ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION
This three-year PhD studentship is funded by a grant from the William Harvey Research Foundation. It covers UK/EU tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend (£22,278 in the first year). Funding is available now, so the project can start by mutual agreement with a suitable candidate. It is open to UK Nationals, EEA/Swiss migrant workers and non-UK nationals with indefinite leave to remain in the UK who will have three years ordinary residence in the EU prior to the start of the studentship. University tuition fees (at UK/EU levels) will be met by the funding body.
Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) a minimum upper-second class honours degree (or equivalent) in pharmacology, biochemistry, or a related biological/medical science area. A postgraduate degree in a relevant subject would be desirable, as would basic cell biology skills and an interest in cardiovascular function and ageing. For more information regarding the project, please contact Prof. Chris Thiemermann.
To express your interest in this opportunity, please send your CV to Prof Chris Thiemermann. We will review and attempt to respond to all submissions within 1 week of the closing date. Successful candidates will then be given further instructions.
Keywords: Trauma, Blood Loss (Haemorrhage), Pharmacology, Inflammation, Critical Care
Funding Notes
Three-year PhD studentship funded by a grant from the WHRF. Covers UK/EU tuition fees and annual tax-free stipend (£22,278 in the first year). Open to UK Nationals, EEA/Swiss migrant workers and non-UK nationals with indefinite leave to remain in the UK who will have three years ordinary residence in the EU prior to the start of the studentship.
Applicants should hold a minimum upper-second class honours degree (or equivalent) in pharmacology, biochemistry, or related science area. A postgraduate degree in a relevant subject would be desirable, as would basic cell biology skills and an interest in cardiovascular function and ageing.