PhD Studentship: The role of SQSTM1/p62 in Drosophila melanogaster models of neurodegeneration

DoS: Dr. Holly Stephenson (holly.stephenson@plymouth.ac.uk)

2^nd Supervisor: Prof. Shouqing Luo (shouqing.luo@plymouth.ac.uk)

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship.

The studentship will start on 1^st Oct 2024.  

Project Description

Neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are a group of conditions characterised by the progressive degeneration of the structure and function of the nervous system, collectively affecting more than 50 million people worldwide. Neuroinflammation, potentially triggered by infection, proteotoxic and/or oxidative stress, is heavily implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of neurodegenerative disorders.

Macroautophagy, commonly known as autophagy, functions as a lysosomal degradation system responsible for eliminating aberrant cytoplasmic components. Within the autophagy process, SQSTM1/p62 assumes a crucial role by serving as a receptor that facilitates the selective autophagic removal of specific substrates. Currently, the existence of alternative forms of p62 beyond autophagic droplets remains unknown. Mutations in p62 are associated with multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS and FTD. This PhD project aims to investigate the link between p62 and infection, oxidative and proteotoxic stress conditions. Drosophila melanogaster will be used as model organism for investigating the functionality of p62 in in vivo models of neurodegeneration. Furthermore, their role in driving a pro-inflammatory state that promotes neurodegeneration will be determined.

Eligibility

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject or a relevant Masters qualification. If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component test area) or equivalent.

The studentship is supported for 3 years and includes full home tuition fees plus a stipend of £18,110 per annum (2023/24 rate).  The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for home fees with relevant qualifications.  Applicants normally required to cover international fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates (approximately £12,697 per annum 2023/24 rate).

NB: The studentship is supported for three years of the four-year registration period. The fourth year is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ year.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr Holly Stephenson, holly.stephenson@plymouth.ac.uk.

To apply for this position please click on the Apply button.

Please clearly state the name of the DoS and the studentship project that you are applying for on the top of your personal statement.

Please see here for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application.

For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our How to Apply for a Research Degree webpage or contact the Doctoral College.

The closing date for applications on 31^st March 2024. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview shortly after the deadline. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications.  Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

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