Professor Anna Nicolaou, Professor Chris Griffiths & Professor Mike Morris

The aim of this fully-funded 4-year MRC ICASE project is to gain greater understanding of the role of lipid networks in skin biology, promoting novel health interventions in skin disease and other inflammatory conditions.

Lipids are a diverse class of biologically active compounds involved in many cellular processes important for health and disease. They are of particular importance to skin because of their contribution to the structural integrity of the protective epidermal barrier.

We propose to use mass spectrometry-based lipidomics to explore the complex lipid networks found in human skin, identify changes and characterise the exact type of lipids affected by psoriasis.

Currently, mediator lipidomics is performed using a combination of technology platforms needed to identify and quantify lipid species, and assess their exact stereochemistry. This requirement to use multiple analytical platforms with varying sensitivities does not always permit comprehensive analysis of valuable clinical samples. To address this we plan to work with the Waters Mass Spectrometry Technology Centre and access a range of analytical and mass spectrometry platforms with a view to identifying the most efficient technology for the analysis of bioactive lipids involved in psoriatic skin.

The outcomes of the project will provide further evidence for the molecular mechanism of inflammatory skin disease. The PhD has great therapeutic potential as it will allow detailed understanding of the lipidome in normal and inflamed skin, with potential applications to other inflammatory conditions.

The successful candidate will receive extensive training in state-of-the-art lipidomics and its application to clinical research. Such skills-sets will equip them to progress into a postdoctoral career in a variety of clinical and biomedical areas. The project will be hosted in Manchester Pharmacy School, one of the foremost research centres internationally for pharmaceutical sciences.

Research and training will be conducted in partnership with Waters Corporation, a leading supplier of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry systems worldwide. A placement at Waters will be incorporated to provide experience in a commercial environment.

The 4-year full-time MRC-ICASE studentship provides full support for UK/EU tuition fees and an annual minimum tax-free stipend at RCUK rates (currently £13,863). The project is due to commence October 2015 and is open to UK/EU* nationals only due to the nature of the funding.

Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) a minimum upper-second honours degree (or equivalent) in biochemical/analytical sciences, chemistry, pharmacology or a related biological/medicinal science. A Masters degree in a similar discipline would be beneficial as would previous experience of some of the techniques referenced above.

Please direct applications in the following format to Professor Anna Nicolaou (anna.nicolaou<στο>imanchester.ac.uk):      

• Academic CV
• Official academic transcripts
• Contact details for two suitable referees
• A personal statement (750 words maximum) outlining your suitability for the study, what you hope to achieve from the PhD and research experience to date.

Any enquiries relating to the project and/or suitability should be directed to Professor Nicolaou. Deadline for applications: Friday 16 January 2015.

*Applicants must be UK/EU nationals who have resided in the UK since at least 1 September 2012 in order to qualify for full funding.

http://www.pharmacy.manchester.ac.uk/staff/anna.nicolaou

http://www.pharmacy.manchester.ac.uk/

www.waters.com/

http://www.mhs.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/