PhD Studentship in Pharmacology: Pharmacological effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on mesenchymal stem cells in endometriosis

Supervisors: Prof Darius Widera / Dr Graeme Cottrell

Mission Overview:

Endometriosis is a standard long-term well being situation that impacts round 190 million ladies of reproductive age worldwide. It causes extreme ache during times, intercourse, going to the bathroom, and generally simply common pelvic discomfort, bloating, and tiredness. Endometriosis may also have an effect on feelings, typically resulting in despair and nervousness.

It happens when tissue from the uterus grows outdoors of the womb, inflicting irritation and irregular blood vessel progress. Particular forms of cells known as fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells play an important position in endometriosis, as they assist change the construction of tissues, promote irritation, and have an effect on how blood vessels type.

CBD, a pure compound present in hashish crops, has proven promise in decreasing irritation, defending cells, and relieving ache. Resulting from its anti-inflammatory results, CBD is a promising drug candidate for the remedy of endometriosis.

This analysis venture, which is partly funded by MRX Medical, an organization that creates new medicines from cannabinoids, will discover how CBD may deal with endometriosis. Particularly, the main focus is on how CBD may scale back irritation, intrude with the manufacturing of things that promote the expansion of blood vessels, and alter how fibroblasts and MSCs have an effect on the construction of tissues. Moreover, it would decide if CBD can affect immune cells to behave in a means that could possibly be helpful for resolving endometriosis.

The profitable candidate will obtain intensive coaching and help from the analysis groups led by Prof Widera and Dr Cottrell. They are going to profit from coaching in superior methods equivalent to stem cell cultivation, confocal laser scanning microscopy, high-content spinning disc microscopy, molecular biology, experimental planning, and knowledge interpretation. Moreover, by collaboration with MRX Medical, the applicant will purchase experience in drug discovery and stem cell biology, in addition to a wider understanding of business views related to their analysis.

Eligibility: 

• Candidates ought to maintain or count on to realize a minimal of a 2:1 Bachelor Diploma or equal
• Resulting from restrictions on the funding this studentship is open to UK candidates.

Funding Particulars:

• Begins: September 2024
• 4-year award
• Funding covers full tuition charges plus UKRI stipend (£19,237 pa for 2024/25)

Easy methods to apply:

To use click on ‘Apply’ and create your account, and use the hyperlink despatched by e mail to start out the appliance course of. In the course of the utility course of please choose the PhD in PhD in Physiology and Pharmacology

*Essential notes*

Please quote the reference ‘DRC24-020’ within the ‘Scholarships utilized for’ field which seems inside the Funding Part of your on-line utility.

If the appliance system prompts you to submit a analysis proposal, please paste within the venture title and transfer on to the following step within the utility.

Utility Deadline: Friday thirty first Could 2024

Additional Enquiries:

Please observe that, the place a candidate is profitable in being awarded funding, this might be confirmed by way of a proper studentship award letter; this might be supplied individually from any Supply of Admission and might be topic to straightforward checks for eligibility and different standards. 

For additional particulars please contact Prof Darius Widera ([email protected] ) and/or Dr Graeme Cottrell ([email protected] ).