Mechanistic Links and Novel Interventional Opportunities at University of Hull

Thrombosis is the occlusion of blood vessels by uncontrolled blood clotting and is a serious threat to patients with diabetes, 70% of whom succumb to a cardiovascular disease of thrombotic nature (e.g. myocardial infarction or stroke). Blood platelets drive blood clotting and are hyperactive in diabetes.

Our data suggest that high blood glucose in diabetes patients causes oxidative stress, vesicle shedding and hyperactivity of platelets, which lead to uncontrolled blood clotting and increase the risk of thrombosis. In this project, we will: 1) identify the molecular mechanisms linking high blood glucose with platelet hyperactivity; 2) establish novel in vitro and in vivo models of diabetes for the study of the association of diabetes and thrombosis; 3) study the effect of hyperglycaemia on haemostasis and vascular health; 4) assess whether dietary interventions can normalise platelet response in experimental models of diabetes. 

About the research the research environment

Diabetes is a multifaceted disease that reduces life quality and expectancy through a plethora of health complications and comorbidities. As the number of people living with diabetes is increasing, the societal impact of this disease is predicted to rise significantly in the next decades. 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 five different Schools within 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 combined effect of diabetes and dementia on life quality and disease progression.

This studentshis will be embedded in a multidisciplinary and highly collaborative network and will participate in several cluster-wide activities, such as cluster-wide meetings with shared research updates, biweekly seminars, an online community providing research news and local updates via emails and a dedicated webpage and regular social activities for students and supervisors. For informal inquiries regarding the cluster, please contact giordano.pula@hyms.ac.uk

Supervisors Dr Giordano Pula (main supervisor), Prof Tim Palmer, Prof Thozhukat Sathyapalan, Dr Vicky Green & Dr Ahmed Aburima Funding

• The successful applicant will receive a fee waiver and a maintenance grant for three years, which covers the research period of the PhD. The fee waiver for 23/24 is £4712 (Home fee) and the maintenance grant is £18,622 per annum. This rises each year in line with the UKRI’s recommended stipend allowance.

Eligibility and entry requirements

Applicants should have a minimum 2:1 degree in a biomedical subject. A taught MSc or Masters by Research in a relevant subject or relevant laboratory experience would be an advantage.

International applicants

This opportunity comes with a Home fee waiver only, which will not cover the full International fee. You will therefore need to pay the difference between the Home fee and the International fee and will need to provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover this.

If English is not your first language you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ with a minimum of 6.0 in all components. 

Start Date

1^st April 2024

How to apply

Application link to Course Search (york.ac.uk)

Closing date

6^th December 2023