We have a fully funded 3.5 year PhD project available for an Autumn 2024 start , with the goal of identifying new molecular targets to help treat kidney disease.

 

Our group studies the cell biology that supports kidney function. We take a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating cutting-edge imaging, cell biology, ‘omics and genetics in the fruit fly, with biophysical, computational and human genetic epidemiology approaches. Recently, we discovered how specific renal cell types programme their metabolism to support kidney function (Holcombe and Weavers, 2023 Nat Commun). 

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Despite decades of pioneering research, the worldwide incidence of kidney disease is growing, making it the third-fastest-growing cause of death globally (Nature 628, 7-8 2024). This is largely because life expectancy is rapidly rising and there are more individuals suffering from health conditions (e.g. diabetes) that increase disease risk. In kidney disease, damage prevents kidneys from filtering the blood, meaning patients require weekly dialysis or transplant surgery. We must find better ways to identify and treat individuals who are most vulnerable to this disease, and to improve kidney transplant success.

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This PhD project brings together a multi-disciplinary team of research scientists and clinicians. It is a unique opportunity to perform innovative inter-disciplinary research, combining cell biology (in fruit flies and human cells) with clinical samples, with the potential to transform treatments for people living with kidney disease. We will be guided by insight from clinical samples (linking donor biopsies with transplant outcomes), with our collaborator Dr Maria Kaisar (University of Oxford).

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Informal enquiries are very welcome, by email to Dr Helen Weavers.

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See advert here. To apply, please use the University of Bristol’s Postgraduate Application Portal. Please enter "Biochemistry (PhD)" with a start date of Autumn 2024.

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Application deadline: 20th June 2024