Establishing the biomarker potential of extracellular RNA structure in chronic diseases

Extracellular RNAs have emerged as potentially important components of intracellular communication mechanisms. Often encapsulated within vesicular structures, the roles that they perform in are still not fully established. Several studies have begun to examine how extracellular RNAs are modulated disease, focussing on differences in abundance of specific RNA molecules. This project aims to take this approach a step further by examining how structural elements of RNA molecules are affected in secreted forms, and whether structural differences are associated with chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis.

This project will use molecular and cellular approaches to study how RNA molecular structures differ in cellular and secreted forms. From there, the study will examine extracellular RNA from joint tissues affected by osteoarthritis in animal and human models, to determine how these structural profiles might be affected by ageing or disease.

The project would be suitable for a motivated student who wishes to develop skills in molecular biology, cell culture and transcriptomic data handling. This is an excellent opportunity to lead the identification of a novel biological mechanism, which has translational potential for the identification of novel markers of chronic disease.

You will be supervised by a team based in Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Sciences in the Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences at the University of Liverpool. The supervisors have wide-ranging expertise and will provide training and support in all relevant laboratory and analysis techniques. Furthermore, all postgraduate students undertake a programme of post graduate researcher development, which aims to enhance their skills for a successful research experience and career.

The Institute of Life Course and Medical Science is fully committed to promoting gender equality in all activities. It aims to foster a supportive working environment and holds a silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of its on-going commitment to this.

Applications should be made by sending a CV and covering letter to tew@liverpool.ac.uk.