PhD studentship in the Biosciences Institute: Using CRISPR and pluripotent stem cells to determine osteoarthritis effector gene function

Award Summary

100% of home tuition fees paid and an annual stipend (living expenses) starting at £19,237. International candidates will be required to fund the difference between home fees and international fees. 

Overview

We will use human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and CRISPR genetic engineering to explore the role of an osteoarthritis susceptibility gene in cartilage differentiation, homeostasis and disease. 

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of chronic disability in the UK and is characterised by destruction of the articular cartilage at the bone surface, although disease aetiology is poorly understood. OA-associated genetic risk variants and epigenetic changes are enriched in transcriptional enhancers and are thought to contribute to OA through altering gene expression. Identifying the target genes of OA-associated enhancers and understanding the function of these effector genes will increase understanding and potentially treatment of OA.   

By integrating genetic, epigenetic and chromatin interaction data, we have identified the transcription factor TEAD1 as the putative target gene of several OA-associated cartilage enhancers. The aims of this studentship are to 1) confirm that the OA-associated enhancers regulate TEAD1 expression in cartilage and 2) examine the role of TEAD1 in human cartilage differentiation, homeostasis and disease pathogenesis. 

The project will combine molecular biology techniques with CRISPR/Cas9 genetic editing technology of hPSCs and primary cartilage cells. Together, this studentship offers an exciting opportunity to couple stem cell biology with genetic engineering and molecular biology to derive valuable molecular insights into OA pathogenesis. 

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

16th September 2024

Award Duration

4 years

Application Closing Date

Monday 25th March

Sponsor

The JGW Patterson Foundation   

Supervisors

The student will be primarily supervised by Dr Louise Reynard  and co-supervised by Professor David Young , (both Newcastle university Biosciences Institute), and by Dr Jamie Soul  at the University of Liverpool.  

Eligibility Criteria

You must have/be predicted, at least a 2:1 honours degree or (equivalent), in a biomedical sciences subject. A further qualification such as an MRes/MSc is advantageous.  

The studentship covers fees at the Home (UK) rate. However, international/EU applicants will be considered. Successful international/EU candidates will be required to make up the difference between home fees and international fees.  

English Language requirements: IELTS 6.5 overall, with 5.5 or more in each sub-skill. 

How To Apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal  and once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.  

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study: Search for ‘Course Title’ using the programme code 8420F, leave the ‘Research Area' field blank, select ‘PhD Biosciences (FT)' as programme of study. 

In the ‘Further Details’ section please provide: 

• a ‘Personal Statement’ – include the studentship title above and quote reference BI085. Upload as a document or write a statement directly in to the application form. 
• the studentship code BI085 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field 
• when prompted for how you are providing your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’ and type in the title of the research project above (you do not need to upload a research proposal). 

In the ‘Supporting Documentation’ section please upload your CV 

Contact Details

For further, please contact: 

Dr Louise Reynard 

Biosciences Institute