PhD Study : N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from fish consumption during pregnancy and longterm (epi)genetic alterations: associations with child development and disease

Summary

Optimal nutrition during pregnancy is critical for foetal development, offspring health at birth and across the lifecycle. Fish are the primary protein source for many populations worldwide and are a rich source of nutrients, in particular the n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA). The n-3 PUFA are essential for foetal growth, neurodevelopment and have many reported benefits in the prevention of allergic disorders in children as well as age-associated chronic disease such as cardiometabolic disease. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and telomere length (TL) are genomic factors implicated in chronic disease and the ageing process, which can be influenced by nutrients.

The interaction of maternal nutrition with these genomic factors (nutrigenomics) has been associated with long-term changes in gene expression and could help to explain the underlying biological mechanisms associated with the benefits of fish consumption during pregnancy and on offspring health1. The epigenetic regulation of genes, known to contribute to chronic disease risk, may be sensitive to modification by PUFA. N-3 PUFA have been reported to induce epigenetic changes that result in metabolic alterations that contribute to positive health outcomes and this could, in part, explain the health benefits associated with  fish consumption during pregnancy whilst the n-6 PUFA have been associated with epigenetic changes to genes associated the development of obesity, type-2-diabetes and atherosclerosis2,3.

Furthermore, maternal n-3 PUFA may positively impact chromosomal telomere length (TL), a biomarker for longevity and lower risk of chronic disease, at birth3,4 and have a direct positive role in the function of mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cells,  and thereby reducing the risk of chronic disease5. Several investigations have reported the effects of n-3 PUFA supplementation in the maternal diet on epigenetic changes in the offspring6,7; fewer have looked at populations with high fish consumption to determine the effect of maternal fish consumption on longterm epigenetic or genetic changes and health outcomes in the offspring.

This study aims to investigate associations between fish consumption during early life (covering prenatal and childhood periods) and genomic factos associated with childhood development and chronic disease risk using data from three generations recruited as part of the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS)8.

This study provides a unique opportunity to test the hypothesis that maternal n-3 PUFA is associated with benefits to child development and health which are explained by genomic factors.

This PhD will:

1)Evaluate the evidence relating to fish consumption during pregnancy and genomic factors with a focus on epigentic patterns, mtDNA and TL, as pathways that are potentially affected by nutrients found in  fish, specifically n-3 PUFA. Using data from the SCDS Nutrition Cohort 1 (NC1) and NC

2) investigate longitudinal associations between maternal fish consumption, PUFA status and relative mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA) in children aged 10 and 20 years (NC1) and aged 7 and 15 years (NC2) and its relationship with health outcomes.

3)Using data from the same cohorts, investigate associations between maternal fish consumption, PUFA status and child epigenetics, TL and associations with child health outcomes.

4)Evaluate the potential relationships between mtDNA and TL with child health outcomes (e.g. cognitive development, risk of cardiovascular disease)

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