Pharmacology

• the pharmacology of drug efflux transporters, particularly ABCB1 P-glycoprotein, ABCG2 breast cancer resistance protein and ABCC multidrug resistance-associated transporters;
• developing complex, physiologically-relevant in vitro cell systems to investigate transport, metabolism and delivery of therapeutic drugs;
• understanding the pharmacological and molecular mechanisms that regulate expression and function of drug efflux transporters, particularly in the blood-brain barrier;
• the role of blood-brain barrier drug efflux transporters in drug delivery to the central nervous system and the effects of inflammatory and degenerative conditions, eg Alzheimer's disease, on efflux transporter function;
• the biological role of lipid networks in health and disease, particularly their roles in inflammation, cellular communications and tissue responses;
• employing mass spectrometry-based lipidomic technology, in conjunction with functional, metabolic and signaling approaches to characterise lipid profiles in physiological and pathophysiological conditions;

Programme Structure

Some research areas include:

• investigating the role of lipids in skin homeostasis and in response to inflammation, injury and wound healing;
• studying role of local hormones in diseases and conditions associated with the female reproductive tract (eg dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis and the detection and prevention of preterm labour);
• molecularly identifying and pharmacologically characterising receptors expressed in the female reproductive system;
• understanding the physiological and pharmacological characteristics of the placenta. These studies include the development of placental homing peptide-microRNA inhibitor conjugates for targeted enhancement of placental growth signalling;

Admission requirements

Academic requirements

GPA: Upper Second Class

English requirements

TOEFL iBT: 90

Other requirements

General requirements

• 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.

Fees and funding

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International (applies to non-residents): 50,976 AUD / year (≈ 27,000 GBP / year)

Living costs

Manchester, United Kingdom: 1,218-2,260 AUD / month. The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Scholarships are available. For accurate scholarship information, confirm a few details and create an account.