PhD Studentship: Exploring evolved solutions to enhancing and maintaining muscle function Jobs at University of Exeter

Job Overview

PhD Studentship: Exploring evolved solutions to enhancing and maintaining muscle function

PhD Studentship: Exploring evolved solutions to enhancing and maintaining muscle function.

Location: Biosciences, Penryn Campus, Cornwall

The University of Exeter’s College of Life and Environmental Sciences is inviting applications for a PhD studentship funded by the Royal Society and the College to commence on 26th September 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £16,062 for 4 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study.

Project Description:

Ageing is a fundamental biological process that involves the progressive loss of vitality as organisms move towards the end of life. The leading causes of illnesses in the world are all associated with this ageing process and so understanding how the rate and quality of ageing is controlled is a major goal for global healthcare. Importantly, the ageing process itself is flexible and can be slowed down with simple interventions such as restricting food intake, endurance exercise or with pharmaceuticals. In addition, many alternative modes of ageing have evolved in the animal kingdom and these strategies often greatly surpass the increases in longevity seen for dietary or drug interventions. In this respect, evolution offers a rich source of potential solutions for improving human health during the ageing process.

A major consequence of ageing in humans is the loss of muscle mass, quality, and strength, a condition termed sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is associated with increased adverse outcomes including falls, functional decline, frailty, and mortality. Age-related muscle dysfunction also occurs in short lived model organisms such as insects and these provide powerful genetic and experimental models to compliment mammalian systems. In addition, some migratory insects have evolved the ability to enhance muscle function for long-distance flight while also maintaining muscle function through an extended life stage call ‘diapause’ – a stage equivalent to extending a human life to 800 years. Recent analysis from our lab has begun to identify the underlying genetic pathways that contribute to enhancing and maintaining muscle function in a hugely abundant long-distance migrant: the marmalade hoverfly. This species provides a compelling model to untangle evolved solutions to enhance muscle function and prevent age-related muscle decline.

In this studentship you will explore the how the programme of muscle enhancement and maintenance is initiated and functions during the ageing process, using analysis of flight muscle structure and function coupled with molecular, genomic and functional genetic approaches. This research has the potential to contribute novel insights and interventions to treat age related diseases. Students will receive all necessary training and will have the opportunity to undertake field work in a high-altitude migration site in the Pyrenees.

This award provides annual funding to cover Home tuition fees and a tax-free stipend. For students who pay Home tuition fees the award will cover the tuition fees in full, plus at least £16,062 per year tax-free stipend.  Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply, but should note that the award will only provide payment for part of the international tuition fee and no stipend.

International applicants need to be aware that you will have to cover the cost of your student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD.

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