Current Vacancies

BHF-funded PhD Studentship | Regulation of Human Cardiac Fibroblast Function by Specific microRNAs

Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds

Supervised by Dr Neil Turner and Prof Karen Forbes

Annual Stipend: £19,919 (tax-free). Academic fees will also be provided at the UK/EU rate

Application Deadline: Friday 20^th September

Applications must be made using the form at https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/download/78/fmh_scholarship_application_form_2018_2019. Any queries regarding the application process should be directed to [email protected].

Further details can be found here: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/regulation-of-human-cardiac-fibroblast-function-by-specific-micrornas/?p111636

Project Outline

Heart tissue comprises several different cell types with the majority being either muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) or cells that produce the structural scaffold of the heart (cardiac fibroblasts). Although once viewed as relatively passive players that solely regulate extracellular matrix remodelling, cardiac fibroblasts are now acknowledged as being primary nodal regulators of multiple aspects of cardiac function under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. For example, cardiac fibroblasts are essential drivers of the fibrosis and hypertrophy that characterise adverse cardiac remodelling associated with heart failure progression. Like all cells, cardiac fibroblasts express a class of recently discovered regulatory molecules called “microRNAs” (miRNAs). Recent studies by our group have identified several miRNAs expressed by cardiac fibroblasts whose levels are altered under conditions of cardiac dysfunction and remodelling. This study will use human cardiac fibroblasts cultured from different patients to investigate the role and regulation of these miRNAs. Specifically, the project will: (1) explore the effects of these miRNAs on multiple aspects of cardiac fibroblast function relevant to the cardiac remodelling process (cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, gene and protein expression); (2) evaluate the influence of type 2 diabetes on miRNA expression and cardiac fibroblast function; (3) determine the stimuli, signalling pathways and regulatory mechanisms that control expression of these miRNAs; and (4) identify the target genes responsible for modulation of fibroblast function. By studying these specific miRNAs and their regulatory mechanisms in human cardiac fibroblasts, we hope to reveal potential therapeutic targets for reducing adverse myocardial remodelling and heart failure progression in man.

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Fellowship of the BSCR

The Committee of the BSCR has decided to create the honour of Fellowship of the BSCR.

Fellowships will be awarded to individuals who have made a notable contribution to the Society in terms of its influence, credibility, profile and position in national and international cardiovascular research networks.

This Fellowship is open to anyone in recognition of their leading contribution to the mission and objectives of BSCR; they do not need to be members of the BSCR at the time of nomination.

Nominations can only be made by full members of the BSCR.

There is a web form available: briefly, you will need to describe the nominee's contributions to the BSCR in terms of its financial stability, profile, membership and administration. You will also need to name four BSCR members who will second the nomination

List of BSCR Fellows