The cellular response to stress: roles in disease and ageing

Dr Alan Whitmarsh, Dr G Poulin, Prof Mark Ashe

Applications accepted all year round. Self-Funded PhD Students Only.

About the Project

All living organisms need to adapt to their environment in order to survive and reproduce. They must respond to many stresses including altered oxygen levels, heat or cold, irradiation, infection and injury. A common feature of stress responses is the temporary inhibition of much of the protein production in cells, whilst resources are directed to promote the synthesis of those proteins promoting repair, survival or environmental adaption. It is increasingly evident that the dysregulation of stress response pathways can underpin diseases including cancer and neurodegeneration, as well as normal ageing. Furthermore, altered activation of some stress pathways can be protective and increase lifespan in animal models. Therefore, better understanding of these pathways could be exploited for therapeutic benefit to counter ageing and age-related diseases.

Our group is interested in how gene transcription and translation is coordinated by stress response pathways and, in particular, how these mitigate mitochondrial dysfunction. We use a combined approach employing cultured cells and the animal model C. elegans to uncover the mechanisms involved. The project will provide training in cell culture, recombinant protein expression, mutagenesis, CRISPR gene editing, immunoblotting, fluorescence microscopy and C. elegans transgenics.

Our group is based at the University of Manchester, which has a reputation for pioneering research and innovation with 25 Nobel Prize winners. The University was ranked 32nd in the world in the 2024 QS University Rankings and 2nd in the world for social and environmental impact in the THE Impact Rankings. Manchester is a friendly city with award winning museums and world famous football clubs, and has regularly been voted the UK’s best city to live.

Training/techniques to be provided

Approaches used will include mammalian cell culture, C. elegans transgenics, recombinant protein expression, mutagenesis, immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation, fluorescence microscopy, RNAi, CRISPR gene editing and genomics.

Entry requirements

Candidates are expected to hold (or be about to obtain) a minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in cell biology or a related subject area.

Before you Apply

Applicants must make direct contact with preferred supervisors before applying. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to meet with potential supervisors, prior to submitting a formal online application.

How To Apply

For information on how to apply for this project, please visit the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Doctoral Academy website. Informal enquiries may be made directly to the primary supervisor. On the online application form select PhD Cell Biology.

For international students, we also offer a unique 4 year PhD programme that gives you the opportunity to undertake an accredited Teaching Certificate whilst carrying out an independent research project across a range of biological, medical and health sciences.

Your application form must be accompanied by a number of supporting documents by the advertised deadlines. Without all the required documents submitted at the time of application, your application will not be processed and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

If you have any queries regarding making an application please contact our admissions team FBMH.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.

Funding Notes

Applications are invited from self-funded students. This project has a Band 3 fee. Details of our different fee bands can be found on our website.