PhD Study : Rich profiling of energy intake, metabolomics and epigenetics towards improved prediction of post-surgical success following gastric bypass

Summary

​Obesity is a growing problem in the UK, which has one of the most overweight populations in Europe. With this come a number of other complications such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke and others, all of which increase the medical risks to the patient and decrease their life quality. Diet- and/or exercise-based interventions have been shown to have limited efficacy, as weight lost is often regained. For the most at-risk patients, gastric bypass surgery (GBS) is now recommended. While this is a major procedure, it can now be carried out through keyhole surgery, making it faster and safer for patients. GBS has been shown to be highly effective, with the majority of patients showing sustained loss of body weight of between 20-30%. This is accompanied by reduction in comorbidities, including remission of diabetes.

However a fraction of patients show regain of weight over time and may require further surgical intervention or other treatments. Surprisingly, the mechanism of action of GBS is still unclear, though it has been established that it is not primarily through reduction in stomach size or malabsorption through re-routing of food past a portion of the intestine. Instead, metabolic reprogramming through gut-brain hormonal signalling, alterations in food preference, or other as yet unrecognized factors may be at work.

A major limitation of current studies on GBS is the reliance on self-reported food intake, which has been shown to be biased by underreporting, leading to both errors in quantities and composition. Here we wish to build on a highly controlled, intensively-studied cohort of GBS patients recruited at Ulster who have undertaken 3-day residential visits several timepoints in a longitudinal study: prior to surgery, 3 months post-surgery, 1 year, 2 years and shortly 5 years postsurgery. During these visits objective measurement of food intake was possible through overt and covert monitoring of food intake and eating patterns.

To this richly characterized dataset we wish to add measurements of small molecule metabolites to understand changes in metabolism. Additionally, we will look both at genetic variation, and more importantly epigenetic changes, which can reflect the impact of environmental and dietary influences on the genes to effect reprogramming of the body. These data will be analyzed using sophisticated models to help improve predictions of who may be at risk of regaining weight to early intervention can be affected; likewise we may be able to shed light on important factors leading to obesity and diabetes with wider applications beyond surgery.

We now wish to recruit a motivated, hard-working student with a good background in the biological sciences and a strong desire to learn new techniques. In turn, we will provide training in a range of cutting-edge approaches including statistical approaches and molecular biology. The student will be provided with training and support, and will be expected to drive their project forward with the help and guidance of more senior lab members and our collaborators on this project. ​

Please note: Applications for more than one PhD studentships are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Biomedical Sciences, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living