PhD Studentship - Investigating Perineuronal Nets Modulation as a Mechanism Underlying Diet Induced Cognitive Impairment

Project Supervisors:

Dr Stuart Dickens

Dr Gisela Helfer

Dr Sam McLean

Project Description:

This studentship is offered through the Yorkshire Biosciences DTP, and is funded by the BBSRC.

The aim of the project is to understand how nutrition affects cognition and learning, which is particularly important as poor nutrition has been linked to decline in brain function. The aim of this project is to understand a potential mechanism behind this, modulation in perineuronal nets. 

Perineuronal nets are coats that form around neurons and stabilise synapses; their removal has been shown to affect brain plasticity and is implicated in dementia and schizophrenia. This project will use animal models of cognition with high fat and western diets. The student will then use a variety of biochemical and electrophysiological techniques to interrogate the mechanisms behind the diet induced changes in cognition.  The student will then choose potential therapies to modulate the discovered mechanism to reduce the effect of poor diet.

During this project you will learn techniques from a range of disciplines including: animal behavioural testing (e.g. novel object recognition test), biochemical techniques (e.g. qPCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry), genetic manipulation and electrophysiology.

Eligibility:

Open to International (including EU) and UK (home) students.

You can apply if you have, or are expecting to gain, at least an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this programme, we welcome applications if your background is in any biological, chemical or physical science or mathematics and are interested in using your skills in addressing biological questions.

We aim to support the most outstanding applicants from outside the UK and are able to offer a limited number of bursaries that will enable full studentships to be awarded to international (EU and non-EU) applicants. These full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality candidates, due to the competitive nature of this scheme. 

The Yorkshire Bioscience DTP is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.

Not all projects will be funded; a limited number of candidates will be appointed via a competitive process.

Funding notes:

This project has full funding for UK students, which will cover tuition fees, a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per year for living costs, and a Research Support Grant.

Funding for:

UK & International Students

Enquiries email name and address:  

For informal enquiries, please contact research@bradford.ac.uk

How to apply:

Potential candidates should complete the expression of interest form. The successful candidate will start the PhD in October 2025.

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