Metabolic control of trophoblast differentiation and placental development

About the Project

Pregnancy complicated by maternal diabetes and / or obesity is increasingly common. Such pregnancies are more likely to result in abnormal fetal growth, which has consequences for the offspring in later life including, an increased risk of developing metabolic disease themselves. Consequently there is an urgent need to develop new interventions that break the intergenerational cycle of ill health.

This project focuses on the placenta, the organ that controls fetal growth during pregnancy. Proper placental development depends on trophoblast progenitor cells differentiating into the right balance of specialised cell types. Increasing evidence suggests that the maternal metabolic environment can disrupt this process.

Emerging evidence also points to glucose metabolism as an important regulator of cell fate and function. This project will ask how glycolytic (glucose-driven) pathways shape trophoblast differentiation, and how diabetes- and obesity-like environments alter these pathways.

Using human trophoblast stem cells and trophoblast organoid models coupled with ‘omic, bioenergetic and functional analyses, the work will uncover new links between metabolism, placental development and fetal growth, and may highlight new ways to improve outcomes in pregnancies affected by metabolic disease.

Eligibility

We require applicants to hold, or be about to obtain, an Upper Second class Honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in a related subject area for entry to a PhD programme. A Lower Second class Honours degree may be considered if applicants also hold a Master's degree with a Merit classification.

Application Guidance

We strongly recommend that you contact the project supervisor Melissa Westwood for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

Apply directly via this link or on the online application portal, select PhD Reproductive Sciences as the programme of study.

Please ensure that your application includes all required supporting documents: Curriculum Vitae (CV), Supporting Statement, Academic Certificates and Transcripts.

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.