Reference Code: HG047
Closing Date: 18th October 2013
Details:Â Name of the supervisor
Professor R Horvath, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University
      Sponsor
Duration of the award: Three year PhD
Project Description
Mitochondrial European Educational Training (MEET) intends to educate a young generation of scientist in the appreciation and dissection of the multifaceted aspects of mitochondrial medicine.
The candidate would be working towards a PhD in the field of mitochondrial diseases. The project is to investigate the molecular basis of the spontaneous recovery in a rare but fascinating mitochondrial condition, infantile reversible cytochrome c oxidase (COX) deficiency myopathy. Our group has recently identified that the molecular cause of reversible cytochrome c oxidase (COX) deficiency is the homoplasmic m.14674T>C mutation in the mitochondrial mt-tRNAGlu gene, which raised a number of important issues. The proposed project investigates why patients with homoplasmic m.14674T>C show an isolated muscle involvement, why symptoms start uniformly in the first days or weeks of life, and what is behind the age-dependent, spontaneous recovery. The identification of the pathomechanism of reversible COX deficiency myopathy may have implications in other mitochondrial conditions. The long-term goal of this approach would be to upregulate or boost compensatory factors in patients with different types of mitochondrial disease with the aim to open new avenues for therapy.
Value of the Award and Eligibility
The award includes a three year employment contract of â¬38,000 (GBP equivalent) per year to be used to cover fees and living costs. The award also includes a mobility allowance (â¬800 – â¬1000 per month).
EU and international students are eligible to apply. The applicants must not have resided or carried out their activity (work, studies, etc) in the UK for more than 12 months in the three years immediately prior to their recruitment.
Person Specification
The early scientific researcher must be in possession of an upper-second-class Honours degree in biology, medicine, biotechnology or in any other life/natural sciences disciplines.
How to Apply
You must apply through the Universityâs online postgraduate application form selecting âPhD in the Faculty of Medical Sciences – Human Geneticsâ as the programme of study. Once you have selected the programme, please insert the studentship/partnership reference number HG047. Only mandatory fields need to be completed (no personal statement required) but you must attach a copy of your CV and a covering letter, quoting the title of the studentship and reference number HG047.
Further Information
For further details, please contact:
Professor R Horvath
E-mail: rita.horvath@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 2418855.