The cell biology of renal ageing: Can a Drosophila-human pipeline help us find new therapeutic targets for kidney disease?

Despite decades of research, the worldwide incidence of kidney disease is growing, making it the third fastest-growing cause of death globally (Nature 628, 7-8 2024) [1]. This is because life expectancy is rapidly rising and there are more individuals suffering from health conditions (e.g. diabetes) that increase disease risk. In kidney disease, damage prevents kidneys from filtering the blood, meaning patients require weekly dialysis or transplant surgery. We must find better ways to identify and treat individuals who are most vulnerable to this disease and improve kidney transplant success.

Our group aims to understand the cell biology that supports kidney function. We take a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating cutting-edge imaging, cell biology, genetics and ‘omics in the fruit fly Drosophila, with biophysical, computational and human genetic epidemiology approaches [3-6]. With its unrivalled experimental tractability, the fruit fly is helping us dissect fundamental aspects of renal cell biology. Recently, we discovered that specific renal cell types programme their metabolism to support kidney function and that this is essential to delay renal ageing (Holcombe and Weavers, 2023 Nat Commun) [2].

This PhD project is a unique opportunity to learn skills in a wide-range of cutting-edge approaches. We will combine in vivo studies (in the fruit fly) with in vitro analyses on human cells. We will be guided by insight from clinical samples (linking information from donor biopsies with transplant outcomes) with our collaborator Dr Maria Kaisar (University of Oxford). Firstly, we will identify the key molecular and cellular processes that are disrupted in aged or diabetic kidneys. Secondly – as fruit flies are powerful drug discovery models for human disease – we will use our insect models as drug screening platforms to test new drug combinations that might restore kidney function.

In the long-term, insight from our research will help understand why some individuals are more susceptible to kidney disease and identify new therapies to help restore patient kidney function. This PhD project brings together a multi-disciplinary team of research scientists (Helen Weavers and David Sheppard, Bristol; Maria Kaisar, Oxford) and clinicians (Richard Coward, Bristol). The student will receive broad research training that is inter-disciplinary and cross-institutional, including in vivo biology using Drosophila (genome-editing, microscopy, omics and molecular biology), human cell culture and bioinformatics.

Informal enquiries are very welcome and can be sent directly by email to Dr Helen Weavers. For more details about our team, please see our lab website. (http://www.tissueresilience.com/)

The PhD position is available to start from September 2024 (with a flexible start until March 2025). We encourage applications from scientifically curious candidates with a BSc (or equivalent) degree in cell biology or a related field. Prior experience working with Drosophila is not essential. Advanced training in microscopy, genetics, molecular cell biology and bioinformatics will be provided.

How to apply: Before applying, please carefully read the prospectus pages Biochemistry Study at Bristol University of Bristol and make sure you have all the documents listed in the Entry Requirements – Admissions Statement and English Language Requirements.  

To apply, follow the link Start your application Study at Bristol University of Bristol and select the programme “Biochemistry (PhD)”.

If you have questions about the project, please contact Dr Helen Weavers – Helen.Weavers@bristol.ac.uk

If you require assistance with your application, please email fls-pgenquiries@bristol.ac.uk