Project title: Understanding the molecular mechanism of action of UDCA analogues in gut health and disease
Supervisors: Professor Kim Watson and Dr. Eva Kevei (Biological Sciences), Professor Glenn Gibson (Food and Nutritional Sciences) and Dr. Alex Weymouth-Wilson (NZP UK Ltd / ICE Group)
Project Overview: Never before has there been a more important time to understand and exploit links between the gut microbiome and health. Compared to the human genome, consisting of ~23,000 genes, the microbiome encodes over 3 million genes that translate to thousands of proteins and their metabolite products. These metabolites are critical to host function and play important roles in health, including the ability to reduce the risk of disease. Among the many metabolites of interest, the aim of this studentship will be to investigate novel ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) analogues that might exhibit beneficial effects on the gut microbiome, while providing protective and/or restorative effects on mitochondrial health, ageing and other chronic diseases. Crucially, the studentship will explore details of their cellular and molecular mechanisms of action – addressing a missing link in this field.
We are seeking an excellent PhD candidate to join our multi-disciplinary structural biology team. Over the course of the project, the candidate will develop expertise in a range of methodologies including molecular biology, protein engineering, protein expression, fermentation, purification, chromatography, in vitro and in vivo models and metabolite analysis, and structural/computational biology. Research Environment: The candidate will be based in the new Health and Life Sciences Building, representing the largest single investment in Life Sciences at Reading (~£60M), and will work closely with the wider team, gaining a breath of generic and specialised scientific skills. The wider collaborative network offers the candidate the opportunity to access facilities at Diamond Light Source, the Research Complex at Harwell and NZP UK / ICE Group to achieve their project objectives. Eligibility: Applications for this studentship are encouraged from highly motivated candidates with an interest in multi-disciplinary approaches. Applicants should hold or expect to gain a minimum of a (UK equivalent) 2:i Bachelors Degree in a relevant discipline.
Applicants ideally should have experience in molecular biology, microbiology, fermentation, protein expression, and/or protein structure and function. Funding Details: This is a three-year funded PhD studentship to begin in Spring 2022. Funding covers full tuition fees plus UKRI stipend. Due to restrictions on the funding, this studentship is open to UK/Republic of Ireland applicants only. How to apply: Please submit an application for a PhD in Biomedical Sciences at http://www.reading.ac.uk/graduateschool/prospectivestudents/gs-how-to-apply.aspx.
*Important notes*
1) Please quote the reference ‘GS21—118’ in the ‘Scholarships applied for’ box which appears within the Funding Section of your on-line application.
2) When you are prompted to upload a research proposal, please omit this step.
Application Deadline: 14th January 2022
Further Enquiries: Professor Kim Watson ([email protected])
Please note that, where a candidate is successful in being awarded funding, this will be confirmed via a formal studentship award letter; this will be provided separately from any Offer of Admission and will be subject to standard checks for eligibility and other criteria.