Investigation of the role of molecular regulators during skin development and wound healing

Skin morphogenesis occurs under stringent control of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and result in a formation of the epidermis and a number of different skin appendages (including, the hair follicle, HF). Skin serves as an important source of adult stem cells (SCs) required for formation and regeneration of the skin and HF during post-natal life and has the regenerative capacity apparent during successive rounds of HF cycles. Therefore, making it a highly tractable model system to explore the genetic circuits of self-renewal, maintenance and differentiation underlying tissue development, regeneration of adult epithelia.

This program will specifically focus on defining the role of molecular regulators of skin SCs which underlie; i) skin and HF development and regeneration and ii) wound repair. This will lead to the identification of the molecular regulators of skin and HF-SCs required for skin homeostasis and wound healing.

This project will build on the work of Dr. Mohammed Ahmed, supported by additional supervisors with complementary specialist expertise, all having published in high quality journals. The Ahmed group is within the world-leading REF2014 Biomedical Sciences Research Centre and has experience of a range of molecular cell biology techniques, including mammalian cell culture, in situ hybridization expression analysis, immunofluorescence, real time QPCR and Western blot analysis. The Ahmed lab is situated in the School of Science and Technology, which encourages multidisciplinary research and has a diverse and supportive postgraduate community.

Specific qualifications/subject areas required of the applicants for this project:
Applicants should hold, or be expected to hold, an UK Master’s degree (or UK equivalent according to NARIC) with a minimum of a commendation, and/or a UK 1stClass / 2.1 Bachelor’s Honour’s Degree (or UK equivalent according to NARIC) in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related Biosciences related subject.