Mechanisms underlying M2 muscarinic receptor-dependent contractions of airway smooth muscle

About the Project

Applications are invited for a Fully Funded Masters in Science studentship, funded under the CREATE-DkIT Postgraduate Masters Scholarship Programme, within the Smooth Muscle Research Centre in Dundalk Institute of Technology.

Asthma is associated with increased responsiveness of airway smooth muscle to acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter released from the parasympathetic nerves in the lungs. This project is focused on the mechanisms underlying contractions of the airways by acetylcholine and how these mechanisms are affected in asthma. The overarching aim of the proposal is to examine if selected potassium ion channel openers can relax the airways and prevent the bronchoconstrictor effects of acetylcholine. This will be achieved through use of a range of experimental techniques including, tissue dissection, isometric tension recording, patch clamp electrophysiology, real-time quantitative PCR and immunocytochemistry.

Linked Enterprise Partner: This M.Sc research project will include a placement in our enterprise partner, Wuxi Biologics, for up to 12 weeks.

Key Areas: Physiology; Pharmacology; Cell Biology, Airway Smooth Muscle; Asthma; Contraction; Ion Channels