PhD Studentship: Understanding and Developing Treatments for Neuromuscular Junction Abnormalities in Mitochondrial Disease

Award Summary

Applications are welcomed from students in all countries. Funding will cover Home tuition fees, a Research Training and Support Grant (£5,000 p.a.) and a stipend of £18,543 p.a.  International candidates will need to fund the difference between home and international fees.  

Overview

This project will study mitochondria at the neuromuscular junction using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients with mitochondrial disease. A recent clinical study has identified NMJ abnormalities are common in patients with mitochondrial diseases, a devastating group of genetic diseases in which weakness is a major cause of disability and death. There are currently no treatments for mitochondrial disease. 

The aim of this PhD is to gain understanding of the effects of mitochondria at the neuromuscular junction in mitochondrial disease. The objectives are: 

• To develop a protocol for iPSC-MN and iPSC-skeletal muscle co-culture in microfluidic devices  
• To utilise microscopy and cellular neurophysiology in the Applied Neuromuscular Junction Imaging Facility to observe the effects of mitochondrial dysfunction at the NMJ 
• To explore the potential benefits of drugs developed by the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research drug discovery platform.  

Supervisory team: Dr Devine is a Clinical Lecturer with seven years’ experience working on human iPSC models. Prof Gorman is Director of the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research.  

Number of awards: 1

Start date: 18^th September 2023 

Award duration: 3 years 

Sponsor: Newcastle University Neuroscience Fund 

Supervisors

1) Dr Helen Devine
2) Professor Grainne Gorman  

Eligibility criteria

You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree, or a Masters at grade Merit or above, or international equivalent in an appropriate subject, including: biomedical sciences, biochemistry, cell biology, neuroscience.

Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills.

How to apply

To apply for a studentship, you must register and apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal#

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:

• You can search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8440F
• Select ‘PhD Translational & Clinical Research (FT)' as the programme of study

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Questions’ section:

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form
• The studentship code TC063 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field
• When prompted for how you are providing your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert - you do not need to upload a research proposal.

In addition, before you submit your application you will need to upload the following supporting documentation:  

• Covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code TC063 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project.
• Degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualification if already completed.

You will not be able to submit your application until you have submitted all required documents/information.

Contact details: Dr. Helen E Devine

Translational and Clinical Research Institute
Faculty of Medical Sciences
Newcastle University
helen.devine@newcastle.ac.uk

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