Glasgow Caledonian University -PhD Research Project Opportunity
Please note that as this project is not funded by a University studentship, the successful candidate will be required to
source external funding for the research degree fees and living expenses while studying at the university.
Project Reference number
Institute
2014SHLS009


Research Discipline areas


Research Theme

Institute for Applied Health Research
-Managing and Living with Long-Term Conditions
‘Diabetes and Biomedical Science’
Diabetes, intracellular cholesterol transporters, hepatic lipid and
lipoprotein metabolism
Cell and molecular biology, induced pluripotent stem cells, diabetes skin
tissue bank, lipid biochemistry, immunochemistry
Type 2 diabetes
Project Title
The role of intracellular cholesterol transport proteins in hepatic lipid
and lipoprotein metabolism: implications for the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in diabetic individuals
Research Project Area
Dyslipidaemia, with its associated risks of cardiovascular disease, and
hepatic steatosis, which can lead to fibrosis and cirrhosis, are common
features of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Currently, therapeutic strategies to
effectively resolve these conditions are lacking, despite the increased
morbidity and mortality associated with their pathology.
Our current small grant from Diabetes UK has proved that genetic
manipulations of key lipid trafficking proteins can impact in distinct ways on
the generation of high density lipoproteins, and the synthesis and secretion
of neutral lipids by hepatoma cells; importantly, hepatic expressions of
these proteins are either lost or repressed in hyperinsulinaemic and
hyperlipidaemic conditions. This studentship targets intracellular lipid
transporters, which influence cholesterol and triacylglycerol transport within
and from the liver, to develop translational strategies capable of improving
the hepatic steatosis found in the majority of diabetic patients. Key outputs
to be studied include glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation and
markers of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis.
The goal is to improve the dysregulated lipid and lipoprotein profile
associated with type 2 diabetes, limit the consequences of these
deleterious complications and, ultimately, increase the length and quality of
life for the burgeoning number of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
worldwide (http://www.idf.org/).
Supervisory Team

Professor Annette Graham (Director of Studies) DRG/BIO, IAHR;
Department of Life Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences
http://www.gcu.ac.uk/hls/staff/professorannettegraham/
1
Staff Contact

Dr Sharron Dolan (Second Supervisor) DRG/BIO, IAHR; Department of Life
Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences
http://www.gcu.ac.uk/hls/staff/drsharrondolan/

Professor Andrew Collier (Clinical advisor), Professor (0.2) in LS/SHLS,
Diabetes MCH Clinical Lead (NHS Ayrshire and Arran)
Andrew.Collier@aaaht.scot.nhs.uk



Prof Ann Graham; Ann.Graham@gcu.ac.uk
T: +44(0) 141 331 3722
F: +44(0) 141 331 3208
2