PhD Studentship: Adipose tissue and skeletal muscle crosstalk in ageing: Using proteomics to identify targets to improve skeletal muscle health. BBSRC SWBio DTP PhD studentship 2025 Entry

About:

The BBSRC-funded SWBio DTP involves a partnership of world-renown universities, research institutes and industry, based mainly across the South West and Wales.

This partnership has established international, national and regional scientific networks, and widely recognised research excellence and facilities.

We aim to provide you with outstanding interdisciplinary bioscience research training, underpinned by transformative technologies.

Project Description

Muscle weakness costs the UK health system £2.5 billion annually. The age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Ageing is accompanied by the accumulation of inflamed adipose tissue and sarcopenia and exacerbated by obesity. Dysfunctional adipose-skeletal muscle communication is one mechanism responsible. This communication has many mediators, such as cytokines, lncRNAs and miRNAs. However, only some of these have been identified. The broader adipose tissue environment associated with poorer skeletal muscle function has not been well-characterised in a hypothesis-free manner. This is important, as it may allow the identification of novel targets for the amelioration of sarcopenia.

We recently conducted a proteomic characterisation of the vastus lateralis proteome in younger and older women. We identified proteins within this aged proteome that predict poorer leg strength and neuromuscular function. Some of these proteins were identified as ‘training resistant’. Additionally, our lab has baseline skeletal muscle and adipose tissue proteomics datasets from older men and women who have taken part in other studies.

The aim of this studentship is to first use existing datasets coupled with data science approaches to identify adipose tissue proteomic features that are associated with poorer skeletal muscle function. The student will be empowered to identify and choose adipose-derived mediator/s of poor skeletal muscle function to then study in mechanistic detail using human adipose tissue explant and primary human myogenic co-culture techniques.

This PhD will directly apply DTP training in statistics and bioinformatics to these challenges – supported by the supervisory team. The student will also have an opportunity to gain expertise in human participant recruitment, venepuncture and assisting with skeletal muscle/subcutaneous adipose biopsy procedures.  The primary supervisor will provide the student with expert training in primary human cell and explant culture.

This studentship would suit a student who wishes to combine bioinformatics approaches with a diverse mixture of lab-based and human participant-facing research activities.

This is an experienced supervisory team. The BioActivEx research group research group is co-lead by O’Leary and Bowtell, who have successfully co-supervised 5 postgraduate students together since 2018. Hannon is a bioinformation with a wealth of experience analysing different ‘omics data to address questions relating to aging and complex diseases. She is an experienced PhD supervisor. 

This project fits with the BBSRC key challenge area “Lifelong health”. This project will advance our fundamental knowledge of the relationship between aged adipose tissue and skeletal muscle.

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