Postgraduate Opportunities
Newcastle University
Institute: School of Clinical and Laboratory Sciences
Sponsor: EPSRC
Supervisor(s): Dr Matthew C Wright, Professor Andrew Blamire and Dr Michael Carroll.
Duration: 4 years from 1 October 2008 - MRes Medical and Molecular Biosciences followed by a 3 year PhD.
Project description
Fibrosis is a scarring process that occurs in organs in response to chronic disease. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in an ageing population. Effective ways to image fibrosis severity and extent in vivo have not been developed and there are no treatments available. This project will investigate the use of human recombinant antibodies as imaging agents. These antibodies bind to antigens on the surface of myofibroblasts and have been used to selectively succesfully target myofibroblasts in vivo.
The project will involve conjugating a range of imaging agents to antibodies and imaging fibrosis in diseased human tissue and animal models of liver disease. It will also involve the use of an array of methodologies in chemistry (generation of novel entities, conjugating strategies, radiochemistry) – biology (recombinant protein expression, protein analysis, ELISAs, MALDI-TOF, BIAcore, cell culture and histology) and physics (MR and PET imaging).
Person specification
EPSRC eligibility criteria restricts the award to UK/EU students (EU candidates are not eligible to receive a stipend). Applicants require an upper-second class degree or higher in a biologically-related subject or equivalent.
Value of the award
The award covers fees at the EPSRC rate, and a stipend matched to the minimum Research Council recommended stipend (£12,940 in 2008-09).
How to apply
You must complete the University’s postgraduate application form (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply), quoting the reference number CAL45, and attaching a copy of your CV and covering letter. Select PhD in Medical Sciences as the programme of study.
Further information
Please contact Dr Matthew Wright, m.c.wright@ncl.ac.uk, tel: +44 (0) 191 222 7094.
Bibliography
1. Wallace K, Burt AD, Wright MC. Liver fibrosis. Biochem J. 2008 411:1–18.
2. Elrick LJ, Leel V, Blaylock MG, Duncan L, Drever MR, Strachan G, Charlton KA, Koruth M, Porter AJ, Wright MC. Generation of a monoclonal human single chain antibody fragment to hepatic stellate cells-a potential mechanism for targeting liver anti-fibrotic therapeutics. J Hepatol. 2005 42:888-96.
3. Douglass A, Wallace K, Parr R, Park J, Durward E, Broadbent I, Barelle C, Porter AJ, Wright MC. Antibody-Targeted Myofibroblast Apoptosis Reduces Fibrosis During Sustained Liver Injury. J Hepatol 2008 in press.
Closing date: 4 July 2008.
Funding information
- Funding applies to:
- EU applicants (including UK)
