PhD Studentship: Investigation into the Antiepileptic Efficacy and Mechanism of Combination Vitamin D and Ganoderma Lucidum Polysaccharides

Epilepsy, caused by abnormal firing of neurons in the brain, affects 50 million people globally [1]. Almost one-third of epileptic patients do not respond well to antiepileptic drugs, and their side effects are associated with cognitive impairment, psychiatric problems, and recurrent epileptic adverse reactions [2, 3]. Vitamin D deficiency is common [4, 5] and exists in up to 86.8% of epileptic patients with 14 years of history of epilepsy [6]. Vitamin D has demonstrated cellular proliferation and Ca2+ homeostasis regulation [7]. Ganoderma Lucidum has been shown to have various benefits in enhancing health. In our studies, Ganoderma Lucidum polysaccharides [8] and ganoderic acid A (another component of Ganoderma Lucidum) [9] could improve the epileptic behavior in animal models and in vitro studies (10, 11). However, more research is required to verify its application value. As vitamin D is essential for children’s skeletal development and improves calcium homeostasis which is essential to manage the epilepsy, thus we assume there will be high application value for the combination of vitamin D and Ganoderma Lucidum, especially on the Ganoderma Lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) (8, 11), in the management of calcium deficiency and enhancement the antiepileptic effect.

Based at the School of Science at the University of Greenwich (Medway campus), the successful candidate will join a diverse community of researchers.

The research training for the student will be divided into two main areas:

1. Technical training
   1. Practical training on experimental design, cell culture skills, extracts of polysaccharides, epileptic assessment etc needed.
   2. Students will be guided, encouraged, and supported in applying to external technical training courses relevant to the project.
2. Research communication and impact Training and mentoring focusing on communicating research output (such as peer- reviewed publications and conferences) and potential impact will be provided to complement additional training provided as part of the University of Greenwich doctoral training organised by the university’s Research & Enterprise Training Institute (RETI).

Bursary available (subject to satisfactory performance): The funding will cover annual salary stipend and home fees only. Applicants who will incur international fees are welcome to apply but they must show that they can supplement the difference between UK and international fees in their application.

Closing date for applications: Midnight UTC on 30/06/2024

For further information contact: Dr. Shaobo Zhou (s.zhou@greenwich.ac.uk)

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