Nutrition, environment and the gut microbiome in health and disease in ageing.

Apply and key information  
Summary

The gut microbiome is considered to play a vital role in health and disease, with its composition and function affected by age, environment, lifestyle and medical factors. A less diverse microbiota, as is observed in older compared to younger adults, has been linked with many disorders including depression, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Interest has grown in understanding how the gut and brain are connected (the gut-brain axis) and how this connection is influenced by the gut microbiota, but limited evidence to date comes from human studies. Given that the number of people aged over 60 years is expected to nearly double by 2050, solutions to prevent or delay the onset of disease should therefore be a public health priority. We previously reported that lower B-vitamin status was associated with an increased risk of depression and anxiety in older people. Furthermore, older people who live in disadvantaged areas across the island of Ireland, were at greater risk of developing cognitive impairment than people in better off areas. Modulating the gut microbiome through dietary means could therefore be a potential strategy to protect against disease, especially in those who are at increased risk because of the environment in which they live.

The aim of this PhD project is to explore relationships between the gut microbiome, environment and healthy ageing, and the potential for the microbiota to be modulated by nutritional intervention. The project will utilise and build substantially upon the Trinity-Ulster-Department of Agriculture (TUDA) study - a large, all-island ageing and health cohort which provides extensive data on over 5000 adults of 60+ years across Ireland. The project outcomes will contribute to the limited evidence from studies in humans linking nutrition, the environment and the gut microbiome, with the potential to develop targeted interventions to support healthy ageing.

Important Information

Applications for more than one PhD studentship are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Biomedical Sciences, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

Recommended reading

• Feigin VL, Vos T, Nichols E, Owolabi MO, Carroll WM, Dichgans M, Deuschl G, Parmar P, Brainin M, Murray C et al. (2020) The global burden of neurological disorders: translating evidence into policy. Lancet Neurol. 19(3):255-265.
• Ghosh TS, Shanahan F, & O'Toole PW. (2022) The gut microbiome as a modulator of healthy ageing. Nature reviews. Gastroenterology & hepatology, 19(9): 565–584.
• hosh>Klingelhoefer, LHR. The Gut and Nonmotor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease. in International Review of Neurobiology vol. 134 771–785 (Academic Press Inc., 2017)
• hosh>McCann A, McNulty H, Rigby J, et al. (2018) Effect of Area-Level Socioeconomic Deprivation on Risk of Cognitive Dysfunction in Older Adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 66(7): 1269-1275.
• hosh>Moore K, Hughes CF, Ward M, et al. (2018) Diet, nutrition and the ageing brain: current evidence and new directions. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 77(2): 152-163.
• hosh>Pellanda P, Ghosh TS, O'Toole PW. (2021) Understanding the impact of age-related changes in the gut microbiome on chronic diseases and the prospect of elderly-specific dietary interventions. Current Opinion in Biotechnology. 70:48-55.
• Ragonnaud E & Biragyn A. (2021) Gut microbiota as the key controllers of “healthy” aging of elderly people. Immunity & Ageing. 18:1-11.
• World Health Organisation (2022) Ageing and Health [Online]. Available: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health

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