Vascular endothelial cell damage, its role in vascular complications of diabetes and the potential of dietary interventions at University of Hull

About this project

Increased oscillation of blood glucose levels or high glycaemic variability (GV) is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The vascular endothelial cell injury caused by GV is a key cause of diabetes vascular complications. We hypothesise that GV causes metabolic and osmotic stress in vascular endothelial cells, leading to oxidative stress, functional impairment and ultimately vascular cell damage. We hypothesise that minimising the effect of GV on vascular endothelial cells may be beneficial for reducing the cardiovascular risk in diabetes.

This project will:

1. characterise the effects of GV on vascular endothelial cell viability, motility, and function;
2. determine the molecular mechanisms mediating the effect of GV on vascular endothelial cells;
3. assess whether antioxidant dietary interventions (including single antioxidants and complex formulations such as the “Diabetes Support Formula” from METABOLICS LTD) protect endothelial cell and vascular function in cellular models of GV, animal models of diabetes and patients.       

The successful candidate will join the internationally renowned Faculty of Health of the University of Hull, embedded in a £28 million state-of-the-art Health Campus at the University of Hull, with opportunities to work with health researchers and biomedical scientists from Hull York Medical School based at the University of Hull.

About the research environment

The complexity of diabetes requires a multidisciplinary research approach to understand its mechanisms and deliver novel therapeutic tools. This project will be part of a PhD cluster that will bring together a multidisciplinary team from across the University of Hull to investigate four fundamental aspects of diabetes:

1. the effect on blood clotting and vascular health;
2. the association with kidney diseases;
3. the impairment of wound healing leading to peripheral limb diseases;
4. the effect of diabetes on vascular integrity and function.

As part of the cluster, these studentships will be embedded in a multidisciplinary and highly collaborative network. The students will participate in several cluster-wide activities, such as cluster-wide meetings with shared research updates, biweekly seminars, regular sessions on career progression and opportunities, an online community providing research news and local updates via monthly emails and via a dedicated webpage, and regular social activities for both students and supervisors. For informal inquiries please contact giordano.pula@hyms.ac.uk.

Funding

• The successful applicant will receive a fee waiver and a maintenance grant/stipend for three years, which covers the research period of the PhD. The fee waiver for 23/24 is £4596 (Home fee) and the maintenance grant is £18622 per annum. This rises each year in line with the UKRI’s recommended stipend allowance.

• If you need to move into a fourth year to complete your thesis, please note that you will not receive a tuition fee waiver or maintenance grant during this period and you will be required to pay a continuation fee.

Submission of thesis

Submission of your final thesis is expected within three years and three months from the start of your PhD scholarship.

Eligibility and entry requirements To find out more about the eligibility criteria, entry requirements and how to apply, please visit the University of Hull PhD scholarships webpage.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 22^nd October 2023