University of Bradford
About the Project
We invite applications for a self-funded 3-year PhD project to investigate cellular mechanisms of brain damage as a result of ischemic stroke and reperfusion.
Stroke is the main cause of disability and second cause of mortality in the world. Ischemic stroke accounts for 87% of all strokes and is caused by a clot or blockage, which stops the supply of blood to an area of the brain, causing cell and tissue death. Current treatment guidelines use the clot buster, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) which has been reported to be neurotoxic. Clot clearance itself is a major cause of brain damage through reperfusion injury, suggested to be caused by excitotoxic mechanisms. A therapeutic compound that could protect brain cells during this damaging reperfusion window could potentially reduce brain cell loss resulting in a reduction in stroke mortality and a much-improved patient outcome.
This project will investigate the stimulation of GABAB receptors during reperfusion to protect neuronal and glial cells by limiting excitotoxic damage. By using the MCAO ischemic stroke model and baclofen a GABAB agonist the therapeutic window of administration, motor function, declarative memory and biological mechanisms underlying the process will be investigated. This work will demonstrate if baclofen is a therapeutic compound that can potentially reduce mortality and improve recovery from ischemic stroke, improving the lives of millions of stroke sufferers.
This project uses a number of innovative technologies, including biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, modern imaging systems, as well as biological model systems such as transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), in mice, ex vivo ischemic model oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures and primary hippocampal/cortical/astrocytes cultures.
You will be part of highly active research environment with an excellent track record in PhD training and completion. You will be further supported by an active, ongoing education programme.
How to apply
Formal applications can be made through the University of Bradford web site. Applicants should register an account, choose ‘Full-time PhD in Pharmacy’ as the course, and provide the project title on the ‘Research proposal’ section.
About the University of Bradford
Bradford is a research-active University supporting the highest-quality research. We excel in applying our research to benefit our stakeholders by working with employers and organisations world-wide across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors and actively encourage and support our postgraduate researchers to engage in research and business development activities.
Faculty of Life Sciences
The faculty comprises a mixture of academic divisions, research centres and outreach facilities. We provide high-quality teaching with a professional focus and engage in cutting-edge research – which we seek to apply through our extensive links with industry and business. We also offer a wide range of postgraduate taught and research courses.
Many of our academics are active researchers and international research experts.
Our interdisciplinary research themes are focus on:
- Computational and Data-driven Science
- Interface of Chemistry Biology and Materials
- Health, Society, People and Place
- The Life Course
Our research centres include:
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Engineering Science
- Digital Health Enterprise Zone
- Institute of Cancer Therapeutics
- Wolfson Centre for Applied Research
University investment in research support services, equipment and infrastructure provides an excellent research environment and broad portfolio of developmental opportunities.
Positive Action Statement
At the University of Bradford our vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity, where people want to, and can, make a difference. We place equality and diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to social mobility at the centre of our mission and ethos. In working to make a difference we are committed to addressing systemic inequality and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students.
Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action can be taken where protected group members are under-represented. At Bradford, our data show that people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups who are UK nationals are significantly under-represented at the postgraduate researcher level.
These are lawful measures designed to address systemic and structural issues which result in the under-representation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in PGR studies.
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