Reference Number: 2014SHLS038S
Studentship Project Title: Connexins and pannexins in the skin impacted by diabetes and ischaemia: targets for wound healing
Applications are invited for a full-time PhD research studentship at Glasgow Caledonian University within the School of Health & Life Sciences. The studentship is for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory progress and provides payment of tuition fees at the UK/EU rate plus an annual stipend of £14,800
[please note that students from outside the EU are required to pay the difference between International and EU fees, currently this would amount to £7,100 per annum]. The successful candidate will carry out up to 6 hours of academic-related work per week as part of their research training.
Research Discipline
Diabetes, wound healing, dermatology, cell biology, cell to cell communication, translational research, skin research tissue bank, bio-molecular imaging.
Research Theme
Diabetes and Biomedical Sciences ; Diabetic wound healing
Research Project Summary
Chronic diabetic wounds lead to ulcers, amputations and severely compromised quality of life. With over
6000 diabetes-related amputations in the UK a year there is an imperative to understand disease mechanisms and find novel therapeutic strategies. The pathophysiology is complex, but impaired cell-cell communication and low tissue oxygen levels contribute significantly to ulcer formation, following often minor trauma. We have identified connexin43 (Cx43) as a therapeutic target, however the role of pannexins in diabetic wound closure is undetermined.
The studentship will use normal and diabetic skin tissue from our Research Tissue Bank (established by
IAHR support) to determine the impact of diabetes and ischemia on Cx43 and the related pannexins, which can be remodelled by connexin phosphorylation and pannexin glycosylation. Using a range of state-of-the-art cell, molecular and wound healing assays, and integrated imaging approaches, we will study the effects of connexin and pannexin post-translational events and potential benefits of agents that modify protein function in in vitro skin models in normal and diabetic/ischaemic environments.
The student will benefit from collaboration with clinicians, a pharma company and cross-Institute initiatives with strong interests in diabetic foot disease. The outputs of this study will yield valuable data for translational studies.
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Supervisory Team
Director of studies/1 st Supervisor: Dr Catherine Wright (IAHR, SHLS) http://www.gcu.ac.uk/hls/staff/drcatherineswright/
2 nd Supervisor: Dr Patricia Martin (IAHR, SHLS) http://www.gcu.ac.uk/hls/staff/drpatriciamartin/
3 rd Supervisor: Mr Wesley Stuart (Vascular surgeon, NHS GG&C) https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Wesley_Stuart/
Staff Contact
Dr Catherine Wright
Dept. Life Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences
Email: catherine.wright@gcu.ac.uk
How to Apply
Applicants should complete the University Research Application Form, available from: http://www.gcu.ac.uk/research/phdresearchopportunities/
Please send the form, stating the studentship project title and reference number, with a CV, copies of academic qualifications, references, and any other required documentation to: researchapplications@gcu.ac.uk
The closing date for applications is Monday 14 th April 2014
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