Targeting vascular disease in adipose tissue to treat metabolic dysfunction in obesity

Are you interested in metabolism, adipose tissue and vascular biology? Are you interested in how vascular dysfunction in adipose tissue contributes to metabolic disease? Do you want to contribute to the discovery of new therapeutics for metabolic dysfunction in obesity?

<p>Global rates of obesity are increasing rapidly and it is a major cause of mortality and impaired quality of life worldwide. Obesity is strongly associated with metabolic dysfunction in adipose tissue. Obesity is also characterised by maladaptation of the vascular system within adipose tissue. The communication between fat cells (adipocytes) and vasculature likely contributes to obesity-induced vascular and metabolic dysfunction, hypertension and vascular stiffening. There are no current pharmacological treatments for obesity-associated vasculature dysfunction in obesity. We have observed the presence of an adipokine, a secreted signalling protein released from adipocytes, which may protect vasculature from damage and dysregulation in obesity. This project will perform in-depth molecular characterisation of the signalling relationship between adipocytes and vascular endothelial cells mediated by the adipokine. Using both co-culture models of human adipocytes and endothelial cells and mouse transgenic models, the project will determine whether the adipokine protects adipose vasculature from dysfunction preventing metabolic disease in obesity. The project aims to confirm a distinct signalling relationship between adipocytes and the vasculature in adipose tissue and establish that the adipokine has therapeutic potential for metabolic disease in obesity.</p> <h5>Primary techniques to be learned by the student:</h5> <p>Metabolic phenotyping, animal physiological studies, human primary tissue co-culture, ex vivo vascular functional phenotyping, high resolution mitochondrial respirometry, biochemisty, immunoblotting, RT-qPCR, histology and microscopy.</p> <h5>Further reading about the work in our laboratory:</h5> <p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34002038/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34002038/</a></p> <p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35365625/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35365625/</a></p> <p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33772024/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33772024/</a></p> <h5>Environment:</h5> <p>The student will be based in the laboratory of <a href="https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/medicine/staff/713/professor-lee-roberts">Prof Lee Roberts</a> at the University of Leeds in the <a href="https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/homepage/156/leeds_institute_of_cardiovascular_and_metabolic_medicine">Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine (LICAMM)</a> . The research conducted in LICAMM is focused on the study of, and development of new therapies for, cardiometabolic disease. The student will also conduct research with Dr Amanda MacCannell, a British Heart Foundation funded Principal Investigator within LICAMM, University of Leeds.</p>

<p>To apply for this scholarship opportunity applicants should complete an online application form and attach the following documentation to support their application.</p> <ul> <li>a full academic CV </li> <li>degree certificate and transcripts of marks</li> <li>Evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (if applicable)</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</li> <li>For source of funding please state you are applying for a British Heart Foundation Scholarship</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <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. Across all Faculties 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></p>

Applicants should hold a first degree equivalent to a UK upper second class honours degree, or suitable postgraduate degree in Biochemistry, Physiology, Molecular Biology, Medical Biological Sciences or related discipline.

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: • British Council IELTS - score of 6.5 overall, with no element less than 6.0 • TOEFL iBT - overall score of 88 (with not less than 19 in listening, 20 in reading, 22 in speaking and 21 in writing)

<p>This British Heart Foundation studentship covers UK tuition fees and is for the duration of 3 years with a tax-free stipend of £19,919 subject to satisfactory progress. The BHF will also cover a 10% stipend contingency fund (£1,991.90).</p>

<p>For informal enquiries regarding the project, please contact Professor Lee Roberts: <a href="mailto:L.D.Roberts@Leeds.ac.uk">L.D.Roberts@Leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>Any queries regarding the application process should be directed to <a href="mailto:fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk">fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>