Management of diabetic macular oedema

female student in lab coat extracting a purple liquid from a beaker with a pipette

Centre for Experimental Medicine

Funded PhD Opportunity

Targeting the JAK/STAT pathway for the management of diabetic macular oedema

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Around 15 ~ 25% of patients with diabetic retinopathy develop a sight-threatening condition called diabetic macular oedema (DMO) after 20 years of having diabetes, and this incidence increases to 80% after 30 years of diabetes. Current therapies, including retinal laser photocoagulation and intravitreal injections of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors or steroid are not satisfactory. For example ~ 50% of patients respond poorly to anti-VEGF therapy and require additional laser therapy to control DMO, and up to 90% patients develop cataract and 45% develop glaucoma two years after intraocular steroid treatment. More effective and safer therapies are urgently needed.

This PhD studentship project builds upon the supervisors’ previous work around the role of inflammation in diabetic retinopathy. We have found that the JAK/STAT pathway plays an important role in inflammation-induced retinal vascular damage in diabetes. This PhD project will investigate whether the JAK/STAT pathway can be targeted for the management of DMO.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop knowledge in vascular biology, molecular and cell biology, immunology and retinal patho-physiology, and will acquire a wide range of laboratory skills, including 3D cell culture, immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, Western Blot, real-time RT-PCR, as well as in vivo models of human disease.

FUNDING

*FUNDING CONFIRMED*

DIABETES UK

Eligibility for both fees and maintenance (stipend is £17,000 Year 1, £17,500 Year 2, and 18,000 Year 3) depends on the applicants being either an ordinary UK or EU resident. Non-UK/EU residents will be responsible for paying the shortfall in tuition fees for International students (approximately £14,600 each year).

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Candidates should have or expect to obtain a 2:1 or higher Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant bioinmedical or life sciences subject.

English Language

Candidates applying from countries where the first language is not English should produce evidence of their competence through a qualification such as IELTS or TOEFL score.

The minimum recommended score for the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science is:
• IELTS score of 6.0 with not less than 5.5 in each of the four component elements of listening, reading, speaking and writing taken within the last 2 years;
• TOEFL score of 80+ (internet basted test), taken within the last 2 years, with minimum component scores of; Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 17);
• A valid Certificate of Proficiency in English grade A or B;
• A valid Certificate of Advanced English grade A; or
• A first or upper second class honours degree from a university based in the UK, Republic of Ireland or other suitably quality assured location in a country deemed by the UK Border Agency to be majority English speaking.

For a list of English Language qualifications also accepted by the School and University please see the following link:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/Applying/English-language-requirements/

The English Language Unit (ELU) offers both pre-sessional and in-sessional courses in English for academic purposes and study skills. Courses vary in length and full information can be obtained from the ELU http://www.qub.ac.uk/tefl/