PhD Opportunity – EASTBIO: MRAP2: A Master Regulator of Energy Balance
Project Title:
EASTBIO: MRAP2: A Master Regulator of Energy Balance
Supervisor(s):
Principal Supervisor: Dr Javier Tello (School of Medicine), [email protected].
Co-supervisor: Dr Paolo Annibale (School of Physics and Astronomy), [email protected].
Deadline:
Friday 17 January 2025
Project Description:
Obesity is rapidly emerging as one of the most serious health challenges, significantly raising the risk of diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. In the UK, over 28% of adults are currently classified as obese, and projections suggest that within 20 years, 26 million people in the UK will be affected by obesity, leading to over a million new cases of associated diseases.
While current obesity treatments have shown limited long-term success, promising new drugs are targeting brain circuits that regulate food intake and body weight. Researchers have identified the Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) as a critical player in processing hunger signals in the brain. Its function is closely linked with trafficking proteins, particularly the Melanocortin Receptor Accessory Protein 2 (MRAP2), which is essential for regulating appetite and energy balance. Although the precise mechanisms remain unclear, recent findings suggest that MRAP2 influences MC4R activity by aiding its localisation to specific neuronal compartments and facilitating its interactions with key signalling pathways necessary for regulating body-wide energy homeostasis.
This innovative project unites top research labs in biophysics and medicine to explore fundamental biological questions about how the brain controls appetite and energy balance. Leveraging advanced real-time imaging and next generation gene-engineering technologies, the project aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying MRAP2’s role as a central metabolic regulator.
This studentship offers a unique training opportunity and establishes a new interdisciplinary collaboration between the Schools of Medicine and Physics & Astronomy. Dr Javier Tello (Medicine), a specialist in molecular pharmacology, gene therapies and animal physiology, will provide training in working with neuronal and brain tissue preparations, along with a comprehensive understanding of hypothalamic networks involved in appetite regulation. Dr Paolo Annibale (Physics), an expert in fluorescence spectroscopy of single-cell signaling processes, will train the student in advanced microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and single-cell imaging techniques to study protein expression, localisation and dynamics within living cells.
This vibrant research environment will equip the student with essential skills to address key questions in molecular pharmacology, laying the foundation for their development into a future research leader.
Funding Details:
This 4-year PhD project is part of a competition funded by EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership.
This opportunity is open to UK and International students and provides funding to cover stipend at UKRI standard rate and UK level tuition fees. The University of St Andrews will cover the Home-International fee difference.
How to Apply:
Application instructions can be found on the EASTBIO website – https://biology.ed.ac.uk/eastbio/how-to-apply.
1) Download and complete the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey.
2) Download and complete the EASTBIO Application Form.
3) Submit an application to St Andrews University through the Online Application Portal.
Your online application must include the following documents:
- Completed EASTBIO application form.
- 2 References (to be completed on the EASTBIO Reference Form, also found on the EASTBIO website).
- Academic Qualifications.
- English Language Qualification (if applicable).
Unfortunately, due to workload constraints, we cannot consider incomplete applications. Please make sure your application is complete by 17th January 2025.
Contact:
Queries on the project can be directed to the project supervisor.
Queries on the application process can be directed to Rachel Horn at [email protected].
UKRI eligibility guidance: Terms and Conditions: View Website International/EU: View Website.