Investigating Catecholamine Signalling in Human Pancreatic Islets- A New Target for Diabetes Therapy

About the Project

Applications are invited for a self-funded, 3 year full-time or 6 year part-time PhD project.

The PhD will be based in the School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences and will be supervised by Dr Despoina Aslanoglou and Dr Tony Lewis.

The work on this project could involve:

• Interdisciplinary research: This project bridges endocrinology, neuropharmacology, and molecular signalling to uncover new mechanisms of hormone regulation in diabetes.
• Human-Relevant Research: Work with rare human islet samples from diabetic and non-diabetic donors, in collaboration with Imagine Pharma Inc., ensuring translational impact.
• Advanced Methodologies: Gain hands-on training in cutting-edge techniques including BRET & nanoBRET signalling assays, HPLC and homogeneous time-resolved FRET (HTRF) based detection and measurement of hormones.

Project description

Diabetes is a major global health challenge, with current treatments often failing to provide long-term control of blood glucose. While most therapies focus on insulin-producing β-cells, increasing evidence highlights the critical role of glucagon-secreting α-cells in blood sugar regulation, and how their dysfunction contributes to type 2 diabetes (T2D). Recent discoveries have revealed that pancreatic islets synthesise the neurotransmitters dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NE), which regulate insulin and glucagon secretion via local signalling networks. These pathways are disrupted in diabetes, but their exact roles remain poorly understood.

This PhD project will explore how catecholamine signalling regulates hormone release in healthy and diabetic human islets and assess whether targeting these pathways could lead to new treatments for T2D. The project aims to:

1. Define the role of catecholamines in regulating insulin and glucagon secretion in human islets
2. Identify catecholamine signalling defects in human T2D islets
3. Evaluate therapeutic targeting of catecholamine receptors to restore glycaemic control

You will work with whole human pancreatic islet from diabetic and non-diabetic donors, gaining exceptional translational experience.

The project offers a unique opportunity to make a real-world impact on diabetes therapeutics using human-relevant models and advanced molecular methods.

You will receive expert supervision in pharmacology, endocrinology, and cell signalling, and gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge techniques and translational human tissue/models. Full training will be provided.

We welcome applicants with a background in biomedical sciences, pharmacology, physiology, or related fields, who are motivated to undertake interdisciplinary research at the interface of neuroscience, metabolism, and drug discovery.

General admissions criteria

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

Specific candidate requirements

This project is ideal for candidates with a background in pharmacology, physiology, or biomedical sciences, with an interest in diabetes, neuroendocrinology, and drug discovery. Ideally experience in mammalian tissue culture and GPCRs molecular pharmacology is preferred but not essential, as full training will be provided.

Funding Notes

Funding availability: Self-funded PhD students only.

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the UK Government Doctoral Loan (UK and EU students only – eligibility criteria apply).

Bench fees

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.