PhD Studentship - Adipokines and Myeloid Cell Immune Responses in Periodontal Disease and Diabetes, School of Dental Sciences

Availability

Provided by: Philips Oral Healthcare, Seattle, USA
Closing Date: 10th March 2006

Details:
We are currently looking for a bright and highly motivated biological scientist who is interested in undertaking research in the immunobiology of human disease towards a PhD. You would join a lively, multi-disciplinary research group in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. Our research interests are in the immunobiology of periodontal infections and the relationship of periodontitis to diabetes. We have one post-doc, 2 PhD students and 2 masters students engaged in laboratory-based projects funded by the Department of Health, the NHS and industry.

This project is funded by Philips Oral Healthcare, Seattle, USA; the studentship covers tuition fees (at the UK/EU rate), stipend at MRC rates and is supported by full running costs (£5,000 pa). There will be the opportunity to present data to the sponsors in the USA and participation in national and international conferences is encouraged. The PhD will be supervised by Dr Philip Preshaw (Senior Lecturer in Periodontology) and Dr John Taylor (Lecturer in Molecular Biology).

The aims of the project are to investigate the profile of pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines in patients with type 2 diabetes and periodontal disease and to determine the effect of adipokines on myeloid cell immune responses to periodontal pathogens. The project will involve a variety of immunological and molecular biological techniques including myeloid cell isolation and culture, ELISA, antibody array analysis, Real-time RT-PCR, Western blotting, and FACS.

This position is available immediately and will suit candidates with a good first degree in biological sciences and with an interest in immunology. Applications from suitably qualified individuals will be considered until the post is filled.

Contact Details
We encourage informal expressions of interest to Dr Preshaw (p.m.preshaw@ncl.ac.uk; 0191 2228193) or Dr Taylor (j.j.taylor@ncl.ac.uk; 0191 2228694). Applicants should e-mail a full CV (including the names and email addresses of two referees) to Dr. Preshaw.

Oral Microbiology and Host Responses Research GroupUniversity of Newcastle upon Tyne
School of Dental Sciences
Faculty of Medical Sciences
Framlington Place
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 4BW

Telephone: 0191 222 8193

Department Head: Professor Robin Seymour (Dean of Dentistry)

Application enquiries to : Dr Philip Preshaw (p.m.preshaw@ncl.ac.uk)

Project Supervisors:
Dr Philip Preshaw (p.m.preshaw@ncl.ac.uk)
Dr John Taylor (j.j.taylor@ncl.ac.uk)

Website: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/dental/

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