Project Description:
Nerve cells (neurones) in the brain communicate with one another at connect ions called synapses. A chemical (neurotransmitter) is released from a neuron and travels
across the synapse to activate receptors in the adjacent neuron. Synapses can change their strength (known as “synaptic plasticity”) by altering the number of receptors found on the surface of the neuron in the synapse. This process is thought to underlie
learning and memory, because the memory is likely to be stored in a circuit of interconnected neurons. The critical trigger for synaptic plasticity is the influx of calcium ions into very small compartments of neurones called spines, tiny structures approximately
1 millionth of a metre in diameter. However, this influx of calcium ions can also trigger cell death after ischaemic injury that occurs during stroke so it must be tightly regulated.
Plasticity of excitatory synapses is a key mechanism by which we alter the flow of information in the brain and encode memories. Individual synapses occur at thousands
of postsynaptic dendritic spines separated from the dendrite by a thin neck making each spine a semi-autonomous entity. It is thought that this is what underpins synapse specific plasticity enabling high capacity memory. However, recently it has become clear
that cross talk between coactive spines is the basis for many forms of synaptic plasticity, but the mechanism, requirements and biological function for this spine-spine communication remain unknown. Similarly, the precise calcium signals that differentiate
plasticity from cell death processes are also unknown. This project aims to address these questions using a combination of mathematical modelling and high-resolution imaging data collected with high-powered laser microscope. In order to capture the complex
geometry of the system we will employ advanced mathematical techniques for spatio-temporal modelling and analysis such as finite element methods.
This work is important because it will lead to a wealth of new information about synaptic plasticity and cell death processes, and hence the mechanisms underlying
learning and memory and ischaemic brain damage. Furthermore, dysfunction in the ability to undergo synaptic plasticity is thought to underlie the altered neuronal activity in several brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia and autism. Therefore,
the mechanisms that we will study in this research will add to our knowledge about these debilitating diseases, and may contribute to developing therapies.
Summary
Application deadline:
5th December 2016
Value:
£14,296 per annum for 2016-17
Please be aware you will be asked to upload the following documents:
• CV
• Letter of application outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project. Please indicate your preferred project choice if applying for multiple BBSRC SWBio DTP projects.
• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained. This should be an interim transcript if you are still studying.
• If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English (see entry requirements above)
You will be asked to name 2 referees as part of the application process however we will not contact these people until the shortlisting stage. Your referees should not be from the prospective supervisory team.
The closing date for applications is midnight on Monday, 5 December 2016. Interviews will be held at the University of Exeter in early February 2017.
If you have any general enquiries about the application process please email
cles-pgr-support@exeter.ac.uk or phone +44 (0)1392 725150 / 723706. Project-specific queries should be directed to the supervisor.
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BBSRC SWBio DTP PhD studentship: Modelling spine calcium dynamics and cross talk: implications for synaptic plasticity and ischaemia
About the South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership:
The South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio DTP) is a BBSRC-funded PhD training programme in the biosciences, delivered by a consortium comprising
the Universities of Bristol (lead), Bath, Cardiff, Exeter, and Rothamsted Research. Together, these institutions present a distinctive cadre of bioscience research staff and students with established international, national and regional networks and widely
recognised research excellence. The partnership has a strong track record in advancing knowledge through high quality research and teaching in partnership with industry and government.
The aim of the SWBio DTP is to produce highly motivated and excellently trained postgraduates in the BBSRC priority areas of Agriculture & Food Security (AFS)
and World-Class Underpinning Bioscience (WCUB). These are growth areas of the biosciences and for which there will be considerable future demand.
About the award:
This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio DTP). Up to 4 fully-funded
studentships are being offered to start in September 2017 at the University of Exeter.
For UK/EU nationals who meet the residency requirements outlined by the BBSRC, the studentship will cover funding for 4 years (48 months) as follows. These awards
might be available to part-time students, but only in exceptional circumstances, in which case the funding will be paid on a pro-rata basis.
• a stipend at the standard Research Council UK rate; currently £14,296 per annum for 2016-2017
• research and training costs
• tuition fees (at the standard Research Councils UK rate
• additional funds to support fieldwork, conferences and a 3-month internship
Location:
University of Exeter, Streatham Campus, Exeter
Entry requirements:
Applicants should have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK,
in an appropriate area of science or technology. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have Masters degree or have significant relevant non-academic experience. In addition, due to the strong mathematical component of
the taught course in the first year and the quantitative emphasis in our projects, a minimum of a grade B in A-level Maths or an equivalent qualification or experience is required. If English is not your first language you will need to have achieved at least
6.5 in IELTS and no less than 6.5 in any section by the start of the project. Alternative tests may be acceptable, please see http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/language-requirements/profile-c/.
Students from EU countries who do not meet the residency requirements may still be eligible for a fees-only award but no stipend. Applicants who are classed as
International for tuition fee purposes are not eligible for funding. Further information about eligibility can be found in the following document: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/documents/studentship-eligibility-pdf/
Selection process:
Please note, the studentship selection process will take place in two stages:
1. The project supervisors will consider your application and may invite you to visit for an informal interview. You can apply for more than one BBSRC SWBio
DTP project, although supervisors may take into account your interest and commitment to their particular project. If you apply for multiple projects, please indicate your preferred project choice in your letter of application. Each application for an individual
project will be considered separately by the project supervisors.
2. After closure of applications, each supervisory team will then nominate their preferred applicant. A shortlist will be selected from these nominations
and shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview on a selection day at the University of Exeter. Please note that nomination by a project supervisor therefore does not guarantee the award of a studentship.
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