PhD Selective functionalisation of auricular sensory afferents to identify the pathways mediating the effects of transcutaneous nerve stimulation

Closing Date

7 Jan 2019

Address

Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds

Duration

4 years

Project Description

Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) is emerging as a non-invasive therapy for many disorders including epilepsy, depression and anxiety, but there is little understanding of how it works as even the initial underlying neuronal pathways are not known. In this project we aim to understand which parts of the central nervous system mediate the effects of the tVNS process. Our approach will be to use neuronal tracers to deliver proteins into the cell bodies of the afferent neurons which lie a long way from where the vagal nerve is simulated. The delivered proteins will switch on genes that will enable identification of which sites in the CNS are important for the effects of tVNS. The project will involve a combination of molecular biology, protein chemistry, cell biology & neuroscience.

Funding Notes

White Rose BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership in Mechanistic Biology 
4 year fully-funded programme of integrated research and skills training, starting Oct 2019: 
• Research Council Stipend 
• UK/EU Tuition Fees 
• Conference allowance 
• Research Costs 

Requirements: 
At least a 2:1 honours degree or equivalent. We welcome students with backgrounds in biological, chemical or physical sciences, or mathematical backgrounds with an interest in biological questions. 
EU candidates require 3 years of UK residency in order to receive full studentship 

Not all projects advertised will be funded; the DTP will appoint a limited number of candidates via a competitive process. 

For more information and to apply, click here