Unravelling the pre-clinical immunology of the IL-23/1L-17 axis in axial inflammation in psoriatic arthritis towards optimal disease prevention

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are key disorders within the seronegative spondylarthropathy (SpA) that was first described in Leeds 50 years ago. Although the SpA group of diseases share strong clinical overlaps, a remarkable emergent feature has been the differential efficacy of cytokine inhibition across these disorders. Specifically, IL-23 blockers have failed in trials of AS, but evidence that such agents are effective in PsA exists.

<p>Four of the Leeds BRC members chair or are members of the European Alliance against rheumatism (EULAR) taskforce for PsA prevention. &nbsp;Within the Leeds BRC we are funded towards PsA prevention studies. &nbsp;Early PsA has a proclivity for entheseal inflammation. We are internationally competitive in unravelling enthesis immunobiology and we are the only group globally that have published on the normal spinal enthesis immune system with a series of paper on myeloid cell, innate lymphoid cell and conventional entheseal resident T-cells. &nbsp;Reflecting this we have procured industrial funding to decipher the immunology of novel enthesis targeting strategies from a series of major pharmaceutical companies. &nbsp; &nbsp;We have an excellent pipeline of tissues from the spine from normal and from subjects with inflammatory arthritis. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <h5>Hypothesis:</h5> <p>IL-23 blockers targeting psoriasis will block PsA development because the magnitude of IL-23 production in axial PsA is much lower than in AS.</p> <h5>Methods:</h5> <p>Established methods for spinal enthesis procurement, digestion, single cell population isolation, multiparameter flow cytometry, bulk RNAseq, single cell RNA sea and high sensitivity multiplexed bead based protein assays will be utilised to measure the magnitude of cytokine production form spinal bone and spinal soft tissues.</p> <h5>Outcome:</h5> <p>Sound underpinning research supporting our funded studies of IL-23 inhibition towards PsA prevention.</p> <p><strong>To support the application process or if you want to know more about our non-clinical PhDs a recording of our 2023 webinar can be found via the links below</strong></p> <p><strong>**The deadline dates in the webinar are out of date but are correct in the stand-alone slide deck**</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.findaphd.com/common/clickCount.aspx?theid=164726&amp;type=184&amp;DID=757&amp;url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3djRE-3RqlCh8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NIHR Leeds BRC Non Clinical PhD Scheme webinar - YouTube</a></p> <p>with a copy of the slide deck used at</p> <p><a href="https://www.findaphd.com/common/clickCount.aspx?theid=164726&amp;type=184&amp;DID=757&amp;url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3dQqQ5PbEdj-8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leeds BRC Non Clinical PhD Webinar FINAL updated slide deck March 24 - YouTube</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>To apply for this scholarship opportunity applicants should complete an <a href="https://biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/research-degrees/doc/how-to-apply">online application form</a> and attach the following documentation to support their application.&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Three supporting statements detailing your previous achievements, why you wish to study for a PhD and your experience of using evidence to inform conclusions.&nbsp;These will be used by our shortlisting panel (without any other information you submit) to select candidates for interview. Please<strong> <a href="https://leeds365-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/msjsar_leeds_ac_uk/EWpNioRfOnFOtYy0-vI3NMYB-U55N_vtiRXW0VOLS5irwA?rtime=rXynDPvh20g">download</a></strong><a href="https://leeds365-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/msjsar_leeds_ac_uk/EWpNioRfOnFOtYy0-vI3NMYB-U55N_vtiRXW0VOLS5irwA?rtime=rXynDPvh20g"> a copy of the template for these statements here</a> and upload it with your application.</li> <li>a full Narrative CV using the <a href="https://leeds365-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/msjsar_leeds_ac_uk/ESUuMXUAMQFJplLJWCJumiUBMrjvsU60E0YA0CbF6GZFJQ?e=CV5PTC&amp;wdLOR=c146CB828-59A6-4C09-ABA5-05B1BDE31ED7">NIHR Leeds BRC template</a> &ndash;&nbsp;Please note other versions of CV&rsquo;s will not be accepted.</li> <li>degree certificate and transcripts of marks at both Undergraduate and Postgraduate level as appropriate, or marks so far if still studying</li> <li>Evidence that you meet the University&#39;s minimum English language requirements (if applicable)</li> <li>An <a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/nihr-leeds-brc-academy-edi-survey">Equality, Diversity and Inclusion questionnaire.</a> We encourage candidates to complete this form so that we can understand our progress in recruiting under-represented groups. It is important to note that all responses are anonymous and data would only ever be used in aggregate to avoid identification of individuals. The questionnaire includes a &lsquo;prefer not to say&rsquo; option against each question if required. The information you provide on this questionnaire will not be used in the shortlisting process.</li> </ul> <p>To help us identify that you are applying for this scholarship project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form;</p> <ul> <li>Select PhD in Medicine as your programme of study</li> <li>Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert &ndash;&nbsp;Please note you can apply for up to 2 projects. Please list these in order of preference on your applocation form.</li> <li>For source of funding please state you are applying for an NIHR Leeds BRC Non-Clinical Scholarship</li> </ul> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. &nbsp;Within the Faculty of Medicine and Health we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+; and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em>&nbsp;</p>

A degree in biological sciences, dentistry, medicine, midwifery, nursing, psychology or a good honours degree (2:1 or above) in a subject relevant to the research topic. A Masters degree is desirable but not essential.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence that their English language is sufficient to meet the specific demands of their study. The Faculty of Medicine and Health minimum requirements in IELTS and TOEFL tests for PhD, MSc, MPhil, MD are: &bull; British Council IELTS - score of 6.5 overall, with no element less than 6.0 &bull; TOEFL iBT - overall score of 92 with the listening and reading element no less than 21, writing element no less than 22 and the speaking element no less than 23.

<p>The University of Leeds is providing generous matched funding, supplementing the NIHR Leeds BRC award, to allow us to appoint one further non-clinical PhD Fellow who can select from 18 BRC related projects. Each PhD will be registered at the University of Leeds and we welcome applications from individuals, irrespective of their background, who can evidence great potential and commitment.</p> <p>The&nbsp;scholarship will provide academic&nbsp;fees at the UK rate, as well as a&nbsp;stipend of &pound;18,622 (based on the 2023/24 stipend rate, pro-rata for part time study) for up to three years (full time study, five years part time) and is available for&nbsp;UK applicants&nbsp;only. Due to limited funding we can only consider applicants eligible to pay academic fees at the UK fee rate.</p>

<p>For further information about this project please contact Professor Dennis McGonagle</p> <p>e: <a href="mailto:D.G.McGonagle@leeds.ac.uk">D.G.McGonagle@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information please contact the Faculty Admissions Team<br /> e:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk">fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</a>,&nbsp;</p>