PhD Study : Vitamin D status and systemic inflammatory burden as a predictor of biologic treatment response in psoriasis

Summary

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterised by red, scaly plaques which can occur anywhere on the skin. Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis may be treated with a biologic medication targeting inflammatory cytokines which are unregulated in patients with psoriasis contributing to disease activity. A subset of patients do not respond to biologic treatment while some patients respond excellently achieving upwards of 90% improvement in their skin. Vitamin D is important in immune function and has been shown to be lower in patients with inflammatory disorders. Patients with psoriasis have been shown to carry a burden not only of cutaneous inflammation but also systemic inflammation which can be demonstrated by blood tests including full blood profile for key characteristic markers.

This project is based on the hypothesis that patients who do not respond to biologic treatment may be deficient in vitamin D and/or have a higher burden of systemic inflammation.

The overall aim of this study is to evaluate potential predictors of biologic treatment response in patients with psoriasis. The work will be based on a cross-sectional study of serum vitamin D levels and inflammatory markers in six groups of patients stratified by percentage improvement in psoriasis and super-response or poor-response to biologics. All patients will be attending the Belfast City Hospital biologics nurse specialist clinics.

The project objectives will be; a)  to assess vitamin D status in patients with psoriasis who have responded to biologic treatment compared to non-responders, and b) assess systemic inflammatory burden in patients with psoriasis who have responded to biologic treatment compared to non-responders.  It is hoped that this work will provide evidence for vitamin D as a biomarker or its potential application towards improving patient response to biologic based treatments.

Please note: Applications for more than one PhD studentship 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
• 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