Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
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Use one form per project
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Please complete & submit to international@nuigalway.ie
as soon as possible, and by 27/11/2012
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In your email, begin the subject line with [SWB] (be sure to use square brackets) to ensure that your email is filed correctly. Emails will be automatically filed
PI name & contact details:
School:
Has project been agreed with head (or nominee) of proposed registration school?
Research Centre /
SANJEEV GUPTA
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Y
DISCIPLINE OF PATHOLOGY group affiliation:
Research group / centre website:
PI website / link to CV: http://www.nuigalway.ie/faculties_departments/pathology/research.html http://www.nuigalway.ie/faculties_departments/pathology/research.html
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max):
If you are already involved in relevant scholarly activities relating to Brazil, please mention them here.
The main focus of research in my group is to evaluate the role of microRNAs in determining cell fate during conditions of stress. We use a combination of molecular cell biology, transcriptomics, proteomics and miRNA expression profiling to address specific questions such as
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What is the role of miRNAs in Unfolded Protein Response?
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Does impaired miRNA biogenesis contribute to cancer progression by inhibiting ER stressinduced apoptosis?
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
Role of miR-17-92 cluster in regulating fate of cardiomyocytes during ischemia
Accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR). UPR signalling coordinates transcriptional induction of ER chaperones and genes involved in ER-associated degradation to enhance the protein folding capacity of the cell and to decrease the unfolded protein load of the ER. Ischemic conditions are known to affect the ER homeostasis in ways predicted to activate the unfolded protein response
(UPR). In the early stages of ischemia protective aspects of the UPR are activated, but at later times, apoptotic features of the UPR dominate leading to cardiomyocyte cell death in the heart muscle. ischemic stress and contributes to ischemia-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
A class of small RNAs, known as microRNAs (miRNAs), have been shown to be critically involved in control of cell survival and cell death decisions. The miR-17-92 cluster consists of six miRNAs that is transcribed as a single polycistronic unit. Amplification and overexpression of miR-17-92 cluster has been documented in B-cell lymphomas, lung cancer and gastric cancer. Deletion of the miR-17-92 cluster results in smaller embryos and immediate postnatal death associated severe lung hypoplasia and defective ventricular septum. We hypothesize that miR-17-92 cluster plays an important role in determining the fate of cardiomyocytes. Therefore the objectives of this proposal are to determine the role of miR-17-92 cluster in regulating ER stress-induced apoptosis. Inhibition of cardiomyocyte apoptosis by targeting microRNAs represents a novel approach for treatment of cardiac diseases.
Unique selling points of PhD project in NUI Galway:
Studying high-quality science, delivered in a clinically relevant way at School of Medicine, NUI
Galway will enable postgraduate student to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for a career in academia. We have a flexible structured-PhD program designed to ensure an excellent
PhD experience. The postgraduate programme will provide broad training in the intellectual and practical basis of translational cancer research. Postgraduate student will interact directly with Dr
Gupta on daily basis. Throughout all the years student will participate in weekly seminars and presentations at journal clubs. The student is expected to attend at least one international conference, where he/she will present the results of his/her research to their peers. At the end of the PhD study, the student will submit and defend a PhD thesis describing his/her original research carried out during the course of the PhD studies.
Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above:
Sanjeev Gupta, PhD
Discipline of Pathology, School of Medicine
National University of Ireland, Galway
Galway, Ireland . Email: Sanjeev.gupta@nuigalway.ie
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Medicine, pharmacy, molecular Biology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, physiology, cell biology and genetics.
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only one (tick box):
Engineering and other technological areas
Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)
Health and Biomedical Sciences
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
Aerospace
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Pharmaceuticals
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
Minerals
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology and New Materials
Technology of prevention and remediation of natural disasters
Biodiversity and Bioprospection

Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
Marine Sciences
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering
Please indicate which of the following applies to this project (referring to Science Without Borders arrangements):
Suitable only as a Full PhD (Y/N): _ _Y__
Available to candidates seeking a Sandwich PhD arrangement (Y/N): _Y__
Suitable for either/Don’t know: _Y___