PhD Study : ​Functional, gene-nutrient and health effects of sub-optimal riboflavin status in adult populations

Apply and key information  

Summary

Sub-optimal status of the B-vitamin – riboflavin, although not generally considered to be an issue in the developed world, is much more widespread than generally recognised. This is not widely appreciated because of the reliance on dietary data from nutrition surveys to report riboflavin status in populations globally. Biomarker status is rarely reported or indeed measured, due to very specific pre-analysis processing required for the gold-standard functional measure, EGRac, which is unfeasible in most settings. This project aims to investigate this issue by accessing available biomarker data (eg measured using direct measures in plasma or red-cells) from different populations and comparing against Irish and UK data generated using the gold-standard, EGRac (performed routinely in our laboratory).

This research is particularly relevant, given that our group at Ulster have demonstrated important functional, gene-nutrient and health effects of optimal riboflavin status in population cohorts. These include an important and novel role of riboflavin in modulating blood pressure in adults pre-screened for a common genetic variant (C677T polymorphism in the folate metabolising enzyme, Methylenetetrahydrofolate-reductase: MTHFR). Underpinning mechanisms to explain this association are not however fully understood and will be further investigated in this PhD project as part of the ongoing ’Intervene‘ study, which aims to investigate the impact of riboflavin intervention on measures of vascular function in adults screened for the MTHFR 677TT genotype. This will build considerably on work previously conducted at this centre, showing significant blood pressure-lowering effects of riboflavin, administered at dietary levels, in apparently healthy and hypertensive adults. In addition, the project will also consider the interaction between riboflavin and metabolically related B-vitamins in adult cohorts and consequences for health across adulthood.

The project will suit someone who:


is highly motivated and willing to engage in teamwork and collaborative research

has excellent interpersonal skills

is able to work on their own initiative

has excellent written and oral communication skills

is able to complete a project within a specified time

has some laboratory experience or is willing to learn new laboratory skills and techniques.

has good organisational skills and record keeping

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

Recommended reading

Hoey L, McNulty H & Strain JJ (2009) Studies of biomarker responses to intervention with riboflavin: a systemic review. Am J Clin Nutr 89, 1960S–1980S.

Horigan G, McNulty H, Ward M, Strain J, Purvis J, Scott JM. Riboflavin lowers blood pressure in cardiovascular disease patients homozygous for the 677C-->T polymorphism in MTHFR. J Hypertens 2010;28:478-86.

Jarrett H, McNulty H, Hughes CF, Pentieva K, Strain JJ, McCann A, McAnena L, Cunningham C, Molloy AM, Flynn A, Hopkins S, Horigan G, O'Connor C, Walton J, McNulty B, Gibney MJ, Lamers Y, Ward M, Vitamin B-6 and riboflavin, their metabolic interaction, and relationship with MTHFR genotype in adults aged 18–102 years, Am J Clin Nutr, 2022,

McAuley, A, McNulty H, Hughes C, Strain JJ, Ward M. (2016) Riboflavin status, MTHFR genotype and blood pressure: current evidence and implications for personalised nutrition Proc. Nutr. Soc. 2016

McNulty H, Dowey le RC, Strain JJ, et al. Riboflavin lowers homocysteine in individuals homozygous or the MTHFR 677C->T polymorphism. Circulation 2006;113:74-80.

McNulty H, Strain J.J, Hughes CF, Ward M. Riboflavin, MTHFR genotype and blood pressure: a personalized approach to prevention and treatment of hypertension. Molecular Aspects of Medicine 2017

Rooney M, Hughes CF, Strain JJ, Clements M, McNulty H,Ward M. Impact of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism on bloodpressure and related central hemodynamic parameters in healthyadults. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2022;35(4):689–700.https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.1306

Ward M, Hughes CF, Strain JJ, et al. Impact of the commonMTHFR 677C→T polymorphism on blood pressure in adulthoodand role of riboflavin in modifying the genetic risk of hyper-tension: evidence from the JINGO project. BMC Med. 2020;18:1–11

Wilson CP, McNulty H, Ward M, et al. Blood pressure in treated hypertensive individuals with the MTHFR 677TT genotype is responsive to intervention with riboflavin: findings of a targeted randomized trial. Hypertension 2013;61:1302-8.

Wilson CP, Ward M, McNulty H, et al. Riboflavin offers a targeted strategy for managing hypertension in patients with the MTHFR 677TT genotype: a 4-y follow-up. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;95:766-7.

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 27 February 2023
04:00PM

Interview Date
27 March to 6 April 2023

Preferred student start date
18 September 2023

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Professor Mary Ward

Other supervisors