PhD Studentship: Neurovascular Transmission in Carotid Arteries (FOUNTAINS_U25BHF)

Primary supervisor - Prof Samuel Fountain 

Carotid arteries perfuse the head and neck, supplying the brain and eyes through the internal carotid artery, and extra-cranial tissue through the external carotid artery. Reduced blood flow through carotid arteries due to vasospasm or occlusion causes a variety of neurological conditions and is associated with cognitive decline and vascular dementia. Carotid artery blood flow is also highly sensitive to blood CO2, which when elevated due to exercise (hypercapnia), causes vasodilation in carotid arteries, increasing cerebral blood flow. Despite the importance of carotid arteries in health and disease, little is understood regarding how blood flow is controlled by the peripheral nervous system, which is known to become dysfunctional in cardiovascular disease. This studentship will characterise nerves innervating carotid arteries in a mouse model. It will combine myography and electrophysiological methodology to define the molecular basis of neurotransmission in carotid arteries and investigate whether neurotransmission is modulated by hypercapnia. The role of sympathetic and sensory nerves will be investigated. The project will explore functional differences between external and internal carotid arteries and explore sexual dimorphisms in neurotransmission. This project will deliver a comprehensive analysis of neurotransmission in controlling carotid artery blood flow, and high-level training in vascular neuroscience and pharmacology. 

This PhD is funded by the British Heart Foundation and will be supervised by Professor Samuel Fountain at the University of East Anglia. The student will join an enthusiastic and internationally recognised research team. The laboratory receives funding from UKRI, charities and through industrial collaboration. This studentship will suit applicants with an interest in neuroscience and vascular pharmacology. 

Entry requirements 

The standard minimum entry requirement is 2:1 (Hons) in BSc in Pharmacology, Biomedical Science, Neuroscience, Physiology or Biological Science. 

Start date: 1 February 2025

References 

Gonzalez-Montelongo M, Meades JL, Fortuny-Gomez A, Fountain SJ (2023). Neuropeptide Y: Direct vasoconstrictor and facilitatory effects on P2X1 receptor-dependent vasoconstriction in human small abdominal arteries. Vascular Pharmacology.

Gonzalez-Montelongo M and Fountain SJ (2021). Neuropeptide Y facilitates P2X1 receptor-dependent vasoconstriction via Y1 receptor activation in small mesenteric arteries during sympathetic neurogenic responses. Vascular Pharmacology.

Fountain SJ (2023) Purinergic neurotransmission and nucleotide receptors. In Primer on the autonomic nervous system 4th Edition, Elsevier.

Funding Details

Additional Funding Information

This PhD studentship is funded for 3 years by the British Heart Foundation. Funding is available to UK applicants only.  Funding comprises home tuition fees and an annual stipend for a maximum of 36 months. The stipend is £19,919 in year 1, rising to £23,298 in year 3.

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