A 3D human muscle model for sarcopenia research

Sarcopenia is an age-related disease characterised by a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength.  It is estimated to affect 5.3% of the UK population costing the NHS and has no cure.

Patients with sarcopenia are prescribed with lifestyle interventions based on exercise and a diet rich in protein. No dedicated medicines exist for patients that do not respond to exercise or nutritional interventions or are unable to adhere because are too frail or bedridden.

Since sarcopenia is an uncurable disease with severe socio-economic impact, urgent investigations are warranted towards the discovery of new therapies.

In this PhD studentship, we propose to apply a technology recently patented by our lab that allows upscaling the manufacture of 3D human muscle models, in vitro. Upscaling the manufacture of these models is critically important to the discovery of these much needed therapies.

We are currently looking to recruit a motivated and organised PhD candidate to help move this research forward. The candidate will be supported by a fully funded PhD studentship from The Humane Research Trust (THRT). THRT supports new medical research which does not include the use of animals or animal-derived products.

Briefly, the successful PhD candidate is expected to generate 3D human muscle models in vitro using our patented technology and assess the impact of proteins and drugs on muscle growth and waste using a variety of techniques, including microscopy, force transduction (to measure contractility) and protein synthesis assays.

This project is paramount to accelerate the discovery of new therapies for sarcopenia patients and the transition from animal models to non-animal models in basic research and drug testing.

The successful candidate will be part of an excellent and multidisciplinary team composed of Dr Lívia Santos (Nottingham Trent University), Dr Yang Wei (Nottingham Trent University), Prof Chris Denning (University of Nottingham) and Prof Molly Stevens (University of Oxford). In addition, there is scope to interact with pharmaceutical companies working in this arena.

Application deadline: Wednesday 31 January 2024 by 5 pm

Specific qualifications/subject areas required of the applicants for this project

• Entrants must hold an undergraduate degree in Biosciences, Biomedical Engineering or other relevant area with a classification of 1st class/2:1
• A completed masters level qualification and/or evidence of substantive published research works.

Interviews will take place in Clifton Campus, Nottingham Trent University, or online on / around the end of November 2023. The successfully candidate must start on the 3rd January 2024.

References

• Tarum J, et al. Modelling Skeletal Muscle Ageing and Repair In Vitro. Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 2023:2023:1-15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/980223

• Mathews J, et al. Carnosine increases insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and reduces methylglyoxal-modified proteins in type-2 diabetic human skeletal muscle cells. Amino Acids (2023). DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-022-03230-9

• Santos et al. Artificial Intelligence Analysis Identified Novel Genes Linked To Age-related Changes In Human Skeletal Muscle. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: September 2022 - Volume 54 - Issue 9S - p 631. DOI:10.1249/01.mss.0000882996.86108.42

Application Enquiries

• Dr Lívia Santos
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone number: +44 (0)115 8483407

• Entrants must hold an undergraduate degree in Biosciences, Biomedical Engineering or other relevant area with a classification of 1st class/2:1 and
• A completed masters level qualification and/or evidence of substantive published research works

The project is directly funded for UK students only