Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health                       

IDENTIFICATION OF NOVEL MECHANOSENSITIVE GENES THAT CONTROL VASCULAR INJURY AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Supervisor: Professor Paul Evans

Project:

Atherosclerosis is a focal disease of arteries. Low, oscillatory shear stress promotes atherosclerosis by enhancing apoptosis and inflammatory activation of endothelial cells (EC) which elevates the influx of lipoproteins and leukocytes to the artery wall. On the other hand, high shear is protective. To shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of shear stress on EC physiology we recently used a genomics approach coupled to state-of-the-art bioinformatics to define the EC transcriptome at low and high shear regions of the porcine aorta. The study identified several genes involved in cellular responses to hypoxia including the transcription factors HIF1a and HIF2a. The current project will focus on the role of these molecules in regulating inflammation and apoptosis in EC exposed to shear stress. It may generate fundamental information on the mechanisms that underly the focal nature of atherosclerosis.

Entry Requirements:

Candidates must have a first or upper second class honors degree or significant research experience.

Enquiries:

Interested candidates should in the first instance contact Professor Paul Evans (paul.evans@sheffield.ac.uk).

How to apply:

Please complete a University Postgraduate Research Application form and attach at least two references to your application.  To complete the application form please click the ‘Apply’ buton below.

Please clearly state the prospective main supervisor in the respective box and select ‘Cardiovascular Science’ as the department.

Website: http://www.shef.ac.uk/cardiovascularscience

Closing date: 3^rd February 2014