Maternal immune activation: advancing from rodents to humans through a development of a hIPSC model to study gene x environment interactions
Start date: 1st June 2019
Award: Fully-funded three year PhD funded by the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs)
Project:
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) present a unique opportunity to reduce animal use in studying the aetiology of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). Their capacity to differentiate into multiple different tissue types allows researchers to observe tissue formation and function under normal conditions, but also under the influence of disease-causing agents. However, only genetic drivers of disease have been studied in hiPSC. Importantly, beside genetics, various environmental factors also increase risk for NDD, particularly if the exposure occurs during critical periods of fetal brain development. If hiPSC are to deliver on their potential, the challenge is to use them to study not only genetic, but also environmental disease risk factors opening the door to studying gene x environment interactions.
In this context, epidemiology and animal models provide evidence for a link between maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy and increased risk for psychiatric neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and schizophrenia in the affected offspring. There is, however, a pressing need to translate these findings into human model systems, due to differences in the development of human and animal brains, both in terms of gene regulatory networks and cellular proliferative behaviour. This studentship will develop a model of MIA using hiPSC to enable: (1) elucidation of causal cellular and molecular mechanisms driving the adverse effects of MIA on human fetal brain development; (2) establish the relevance of the animal data for human health and disease and (3) greatly broaden the potential of hIPSCs in disease modelling, leading to a significant reduction in the number of rodents and non-human primates used in these models.
For further details of this project please refer to the NC3Rs website using the link below:
https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/maternal-immune-activation-advancing-rodents-humans-through-development-hipsc-model-study-gene-x
Supervisors:
Dr Anthony Vernon (anthony.vernon@kcl.ac.uk)
https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/anthony.vernon.html
Dr Deepak Srivastava (deepak.srivastava@kcl.ac.uk)
https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/deepak.srivastava.html
https://tinyurl.com/SrivastavaLab
Entry requirements:
Candidates should hold, or realistically expect to obtain, at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree (2:1) or equivalent. They should have a strong academic background in the biological sciences and a desire to pursue research in line with that of the research groups. A Lower Second Class Honours (2:2) degree may be considered only where applicants also offer a Masters in a relevant subject area with Merit. Experience working with hiPSC and basic molecular biology techniques is highly desirable, but full training will be provided.
Award types and eligibility:
Funding provides full support for tuition fees for the three-year duration of the studentship, associated project costs, and an annual tax-free stipend. In line with the MRC, NC3Rs sets a higher minimum stipend level for inside London – for 2018/19 this is £16,777.
Posts are open to UK nationals. EU nationals, who have spent at least three years prior to the application resident in the UK, are also eligible to apply. Non-UK residents can only be considered if the Research Organisation can demonstrate a shortage of high-quality UK candidates, and this must be approved by the NC3Rs prior to appointment. Please also see the NC3Rs website at:
https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/studentship-vacancies
How to apply:
Applicants must complete and submit an online admissions application, via the admissions portal by midnight (23:59 GMT), March 1st, 2019
On the ‘Choosing a programme’ page, please select ‘Research degrees’ and enter the keyword Neuroscience Research MPhil/PhD (Full-time).
In your application, you will be asked to include:
- Academic Transcripts – where applicable, academic transcripts must be submitted with the online admissions application
- Details of your qualifications (you will need to attach copies)
- Details of previous employment
- A personal statement describing your interests and why you wish to apply for this project. Please include this as an attachment rather than using the text box.
- Academic References – all admissions applications require two supporting references. If the applicant is relying on his/her referees to submit references directly to the College after he/she has submitted his/her admissions application, then the applicant must ensure that their chosen referees are made aware of the funding deadline.
In the Funding section, please tick box 5 and include the following reference: ACV-NC3Rs-2019
Please note there is no need to complete the Research Proposal section in your application as the project has already been set.
You are welcome to email Dr Anthony Vernon (anthony.vernon@kcl.ac.uk) and Dr Deepak Srivastava (deepak.srivastava@kcl.ac.uk) for more information regarding the project and studentship.
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Olivia Rees, Postgraduate Research Administrative Assistant.
References must be received by the deadline for the applicant to be eligible.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Closing Date: March 1st 2019
Interviews: Week commencing 25th March, 2019
Further information:
For further information on undertaking a PhD at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience please see:
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/study/prospective-students/programmes-of-study/pgr/phd.aspx
For further information on the department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience please see:
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/depts/bcn/index.aspx
For further details of the current research in the Vernon and Srivastava labs please see:
https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/anthony.vernon.html
https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/deepak.srivastava.html
KCL Researcher Development Programme