PhD Study : Epigenetic mechanisms underlying nutritional contributions to mental health and cognition

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Summary

Mental health and wellbeing is an area of increasing public interest. There is also a growing recognition for the need to explore the underlying genetic and environmental contributions to cognitive health, both separately and together.

Epigenetics is an important new field of research which looks at the way environmental influences can interact with the genes to help explain the final outcome or phenotype. This is an exciting area since it can shed light on otherwise difficult to explain effects. One such effect is the way in which environmental stress or access to nutrients in the parents’ generation can affect the children’s development and eventual health, sometimes many years later, as seen in the Dutch Winter Famine studies (see ref1 for a review).

Together with colleagues in the Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health we have been using a randomized controlled trial, the gold standard clinical tool for testing for effects, to look at a cohort of mothers and children. In this work we explored how treating the mums with the B vitamin folic acid in trimesters 2 and 3 of pregnancy led to improved psychosocial behaviours and better cognitive performance in their children (2,3). We were able to link this environmental effect to changes in a type of epigenetic mark on the DNA of the mothers and their children, uncovering a possible mechanistic link (4). This mark is called DNA methylation.

We then went on to show using cutting-edge techniques involving DNA microarrays, pyrosequencing, knockout cell lines and bioinformatics that changes were occurring at ZFP57, an important controller of a class of human genes called imprinted genes, and that the changes were sufficient to alter the activity level of ZFP57 (5).

Following on from that exciting work we have received new funding for the EpiBrain project, which will further explore the epigenetic mechanisms which may underly the nutritional effects on brain development and mental health.

This project, in collaboration with leading scientists in Spain and Canada, will also examine how B-vitamins might be helping to prevent cognitive decline in an ageing population through changes in the epigenome.

A student with a good background in genetics/molecular biology and a strong desire to learn new techniques would be ideal. We have a track record of producing excellent PhD students and most of our students graduate with one or more publications. We provide training in both wet-lab (cell culture, PCR, sequencing) and dry-lab (bioinformatics, statistics, paper writing) work. The student will be expected to drive their project forward as part of a team with the help and guidance of more senior lab members and our collaborators on this project, which include world-leading centres in Vancouver and Spain.

Previous graduates have found their skills in high demand in both biological research and other science careers.

References;

1. Irwin…McNulty, Walsh Epigenomics 8:863 2016
2. Henry, Cassidy….McNulty, Walsh Acta Pediatrica 107:2018
3. McNulty…Walsh, Pentieva BMC Medicine 17:196 2019
4. Caffrey, Irwin, McNulty…Walsh, Pentieva Am J. Clin. Nutr. 107:566 2018
5. Irwin...Pentieva,McNulty…Walsh Clin. Epigenet 11:31 2019

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

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 - peer-reviewed
  • Publications record appropriate to career stage
  • Experience of presentation of research findings
  • A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
  • Use of personal initiative as evidenced by record of work above that normally expected at career stage.
  • 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

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Friday 7 February 2020
12:00AM

Interview Date
09 to 20 March 2020

Preferred student start date
Mid September 2020

Applying

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