Inflammation and Infection as diagnostic biomarkers of male factor infertility. Development and testing of a rapid, low-cost triage test.

Apply and key information

This project is funded by:

Future Medicines Institute

Summary

In 2024, in collaboration with QUB, a new industry facing institute called the Future Medicines Institute was established. This is a £55M programme funded by Department of Economy NI and Industry partners, managed by the UKRI Strength in Places programme. This programme is a collaboration between regional Life and Health Sciences commercial and academic partners including Almac Discovery, Randox Laboratories, Almac Diagnostic Services, Diaceutics, Sonrai Analytics, Exploristics, Fusion Antibodies, and HIRANI. As part of this exciting programme Ulster University is pleased to announce that we are offering up to 10 studentships to help develop collaborative programmes of research between the partners and academic research at UU and QUB. Furthermore, these projects are specifically designed to develop skills and training that are needed by the regional Life and Health Sciences sector.

Infertility affects approximately one in five couples worldwide, representing a significant global health concern. Male factor infertility contributes to 50% of all cases of infertility, with multiple lifestyle, genetic and environmental factors being causes or risks.

A subset of men presenting with subfertility may have clinically meaningful bacterial burden or inflammatory activation in the male reproductive tract that contributes to oxidative stress, sperm dysfunction, and increased sperm DNA fragmentation. Current high-resolution approaches (e.g., shotgun/16S Next-generation sequencing (NGS) microbiome profiling) are expensive and not scalable for routine triage in clinic. Routine culture is slow and often misses fastidious organisms; direct reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays are highly variable.

The aim of this project is to evaluate, by benchmarking against current gold standard NGS and sperm DNA fragmentation assays, whether a simple semen preparation method followed by a rapid lateral flow device (LFD) measurement of host-response biomarkers in conjunction with an assessment of semen microbiome and burden can be used as a point-of-care approach to discriminate likely clinically relevant infection/versus inflammatory activation. In parallel, and as an alternative to LFD analysis, a targeted quantitative PCR assay will be developed for a small panel of relevant urogenital micro-organisms.

Applicants must have at least a 2.1 in Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences or related degree and some practical experience relevant to the project. Desirable criteria include a Masters degree and specific expertise relevant to the project. Applicants must be resident in the UK or Ireland.

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

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
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

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

Future Medicines Institute

Tuition fees will be covered in full and a stipend of £21,805 per annum will be paid for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be a UK National, or
Have settled status, or
Have pre-settled status, or
Have indefinite leave to remain or enter, or
be an Irish National

Applicants should also meet the residency criteria which requires that they have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the three years preceding the start date of the research degree programme.

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.