PhD Study : InflaMab: A novel antibody therapy for Cardiovascular related disease

Summary

The NLRP3 inflammasome is a protein complex involved in many chronic inflammatory conditions including coronary artery disease (CAD), obesity and type 2 diabetes. Since the NLRP3 protein is found inside cells, we have developed a novel antibody technology which allows cell entrance to specifically inhibit this inflammasome. Preliminary data indicate that this antibody, InflaMab, inhibits CAD development by 30%.

We here aim to determine the efficacy of InflaMab in preventing CAD in laboratory models of disease. We also aim to assess its impact on cardiometabolic diseases such as diabetes and explore the role of the inflammasome in obesity. Our ultimate goal is to progress the development of InflaMab towards human clinical trial stage.

The project also aims to identify which CAD patients would be best suited for treatment with InflaMab and will investigate clinical biomarkers that may indicate the efficacy of the antibody. The project will involve a retrospective analysis of 2000 patients who have undergone angiography and have been followed up over a period of at least 4 years. This will allow measurement of the NLRP3 inflammasome and associated blood biomarkers within the dataset, to be correlated with imaging and other clinical data available. This project will take place at the Personalised Medicine Centre at the School of Medicine, Ulster University.

The project provides the opportunity for a PhD student to gain experience and training in a diverse set of multidisciplinary skills including clinical research, practical laboratory skills and bioinformatics. The project will be supervised by an experienced project team of academics, clinicians and bioinformaticians. The project is supported by and includes collaborators from several prestigious institutions including Harvard Medical School, Boston, Aarhuas University, Denmark and Leiden University, The Netherlands. There may be opportunity for the successful candidate to travel and gain research experience in these other labs.

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the 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
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Research proposal of 1500 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project
• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

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.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 70%
• Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Publications - peer-reviewed
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings

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