UNIVERSITY:
FACULTY:
DEPARTMENT:
JOB TITLE:
University of Bristol, Bristol, England
Medicine and Dentistry
School of Clinical Science-Regenerative Medicine Section
British Heart Foundation (BHF)-sponsored PhD studentship
A British Heart Foundation (BHF) PhD studentship (3 years) is now available in the Prof Emanueli
laboratory of Vascular Pathology and Regeneration at the University of Bristol.
The research project is entitled “Role of miRNA-30c2* in diabetes-induced impairment of postischaemic neovascularisation in limb muscles”.
Project Summary: When an ischaemic event occurs as a consequence of blockage of an artery by
clots, the organism reacts with an angiogenesis reparative response aiming at restoring blood
perfusion. Angiogenesis in ischaemic limb muscles is compromised by diabetes. Here, we will
focus on a new class of small RNA molecules: microRNAs. Diabetes increases the content of
microRNA-30c2* in the vascular cells of limb muscles. Pilot data on cultured vascular cells showed
that microRNA-30c2* impairs angiogenesis. We will study if microRNA-30c2* is a potential
therapeutic target for diabetes-induced impairment of post-ischaemic reparative neovascularisation
in limb muscles.
The stipend is £18,053 (year 1), £ 18,955 (year 2), £19,903 (year 3). PhD student stipends are
tax-free in the UK. University fees are covered by the BHF.
The laboratory is internationally known for its work in the area of therapeutic angiogenesis. A
paper of us on microRNAs is currently in press in Circulation. We currently employ 4 postdocs and
one highly skilled technician. We also host a foreign visiting master student. Our research aims at
understanding the molecular mechanisms underpinning diabetes-induced microvascular
dysfunction and to advance the cure of ischaemic disease in the myocardium and limbs by
investigating novel therapies, including the use of cellular products derived from stem cells and
gene therapies.
Bristol University is consistently rated in the top 50 Universities around the world and is part of the
Russell group University in the UK.
Bristol is a vibrant city of about 500,000 inhabitants in the South West part of England at less than
100 miles away from London (1h 45 min by train. Trains to/from London run every 30 min). We
have an international airport, with many European connections, including by low cost companies,
such as EasyJet and Ryanair.
Applicant Requisites:
 European Citizenship
 1:1 degree (or equivalent) in a Biomedical subject from a top University (one of the Russell
group for UK degrees)
 Certificated fluency in spoken and written English
 Previous certificated FT laboratory experience of minimum 6 months
 Experience in tissue culture, molecular biology and cell biology
 Two references.
The applicants must submit their CVs to Prof Costanza Emanueli via email to
c.emanueli@yahoo.co.uk. No telephone calls or requests for meetings/visits before the interviews
take pace, please.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed either in Bristol (no travel cost can be reimbursed) or via
Skype. Interviews will take place between 19th November and 10th December.
Starting day will be either on 1st January or 1st February 2011.
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Subject Areas:
microRNA, molecular biology, endothelial cell biology, diabetes, limb ischaemia, post-ischaemic
angiogenesis, murine models, flow cytometry; histology.