Postgraduate research opportunities Multicellular endothelial signalling in the coordination of vascular function

Project background

Blood vessels are made up of different cell layers that each carry out specific functions. The innermost blood vessel layer is called the endothelium and although it is just one cell thick the endothelium is an incredible coordinator of cardiovascular function. The importance of the endothelium is clear from the severe health problems, including heart failure, stroke, and renal damage in hypertension, that occur when it malfunctions. Controlling endothelial dysfunction will reduce disease progression and limit health consequences.

You will study a novel signaling pathway to address this unmet need. Our research has revealed that blood vessel function is regulated by networks of endothelial cells that each regulate different functions. Our results also show the networks are compromised in hypertension and that this leads to vascular dysfunction.

Using advanced approaches, you will work to understand endothelial cell dysfunction in intact resistance arteries at three major functional levels:

• how are endothelial networks organised in normotension and hypertension?
• why does network function change in hypertension?
• how can endothelial network function be targeted to treat hypertension?

Supervisory & collaboration team

This project will be supervised by Professor John G McCarron and Dr Calum Wilson, both expert in cardiovascular physiology. The successful applicant will join the Vascular Imaging Group, an interdisciplinary team of scientists working at the forefront of blood vessel research.

Training

The successful applicant will receive training in state-of-the-art techniques for assessing blood vessel function, advanced imaging techniques, image analysis and in software and equipment development as well as the usual PG Cert to develop research skills. Our training programme is well recognised and students and postdocs in our laboratory have won numerous prizes, fellowships and academic positions.

Studentship

The studentship is for three years, and it provides a tax-free stipend of £15,609 per year plus the tuition fees at the UK rate for 36 months of study. Due to funding restrictions, this studentship is only open to UK & EU applicants.