Reference Code: CL065

Closing Date: 15th March 2013

Details:

Name of the supervisor(s)
Dr D Young, Institute of Cellular Medicine (ICM)

Professor A Rowan, Institute of Cellular Medicine (ICM)

Sponsor
Arthritis Research UK

Duration of the award
3 year PhD

Project description
Enzyme mediated cartilage loss is the archetypical feature of osteoarthritis (OA); an increasingly common, debilitating disease. This studentship will follow up on our published work and preliminary data that show that a class of molecules, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors can prevent OA. Using transgenic and cellular models, linked with genome-wide molecular analysis techniques, our aim is to confirm the importance of one particular HDAC, HDAC3, in cartilage, chondrocytes and OA, and validate this gene and the pathways it regulates as potential therapeutic targets to prevent or slow the cartilage loss associated with OA.

Value of the award and eligibility
The awards will be tenable for three years from 1 October 2013 with a tax-free stipend currently of £19,892 in the first year, with annual increases thereafter, and will include tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. 

Person specification
Applications are invited from candidates who hold a first-class or upper- second-class Honours degree in the biological sciences and a post-graduate Master’s degree. Applicants who hold or expect to obtain a first-class Honours degree in the biological sciences may be considered.

How to apply
You must complete the University’s postgraduate application form. Select ‘Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Sciences) – Cellular Medicine’ as the programme of study. 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 CL065.
 
You should also send a copy of your covering letter and CV to Dr David Young, by e-mail to david.young@ncl.ac.uk.

Further information
For further details, please contact:
Dr D Young
E-mail: david.young@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44(0) 191 222 3850.