| PhD Studentships |
Metabolic profiling of dogs
Supervisors: Dr Holger Volk (hvolk@rvc.ac.uk), Dr Elizabeth Want (Imperial College) and Jon Bowen (RVC and Imperial College)
Department: Veterinary Clinical Sciences
The research programme will characterize the metabolic profile (metabonomics) and gut microbiome to investigate the effects of dietary modification on both nutrient and drug metabolism in certain disease and non-disease phenotypes. Potentially the project could explain fundamental biological effects of diet with implications for general health and well-being of animals which may translate to people.
The project will provide training in molecular genetics, metabonomic profiling and various bioinformatic based techniques. In addition, the industrial placement will enhance the student’s employability in both the industrial and academic sector by providing training and experience to develop many transferable skills
The supervisors and further background
The project is an ideal area for collaboration between clinical, nutritional, behavioural and metabolic profiling research scientists and clinicians. Dr. Elizabeth Want is a Waters Lecturer in Molecular Spectroscopy within the Department of Biomolecular Medicine at Imperial College with more than 10 years of experience in mass spectrometry and chromatographic techniques. Mr. Jon Bowen is a behavior consultant and visiting lecturer at the Royal Veterinary College who has more than 4 years experience with metabolic profiling. Dr. Holger Volk is Head and Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Neurology & Neurosurgery at the Royal Veterinary College with expertise in various disease models.
The study integrates closely with the research interest of each group. Dr. Want’s and Mr Bowen’s current research examining metabolic profiles in different disease processes (http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/people/e.want/). Dr. Volk’s key interest currently is to improve the quality of life of veterinary patients by advancing the understanding of canine disorders and its treatment, providing the platform for the development of new treatment strategies (http://www.rvc.ac.uk/Staff/hvolk.cfm).
The student would be based mainly at the metabonomic lab of the Imperial College, but parts of the project will take place at the Royal Veterinary College and at a centre in the USA. The Imperial College metabonomic lab offers high quality standard. Biomolecular Medicine has developed much of the state-of-the-art chemical and data analytic techniques currently used in metabolic profiling, and the student will therefore have access to a wealth of expertise and experience difficult to match in other environments. Its extensive track record in analytical chemistry and molecular sciences enables the department to provide a tailored training programme for the proposed studentship. The student will be given a unique training in spectroscopic analysis, and experience in biomedical applications, as well as a broader base in analytical methodology and biochemistry. The student will get extensive training in MS-based data acquisition and analysis as part of an existing training scheme. The student will have the opportunity to receive a diploma in chemometric analysis and to attend a tailored chemometric course in handling spectral data based at Umea University, Sweden. In addition, attendance at regular short training courses in Systems Biology, Metabonomics/Metabolomics and Chemometrics that we have run successfully at Imperial for >7 years will be mandatory. In addition, a number of Imperial College departments provide training to students, such as courses in MATLAB and other data analysis packages from The Statistical Advisory Service. Due to close links with instrument manufacturers such as Waters, the student will obtain UPLC-MS training and support, and there will be the opportunity for intersite visits to learn new research skills. The period of time spent in the USA will provide the student access to advanced genetic/genomic technologies not available at the RVC, including the gut microbial profiling capabilities and data analysis expertise. Student experience will range from hands-on training from technical staff related to using in-house genomic platforms, as well as downstream data acquisition and computational analyses training from departmental Bioinfomatician Scientists.
This programme provides an excellent mixture of skills and expertise to conduct scientific research of direct relevance to clinical practice.
This is a BBSRC funded studentship for four years.
For further details please contact Dr Holger Volk (hvolk@rvc.ac.uk) or Dr Elizabeth Want (e.want@imperial.ac.uk)
Deadline for applications is 10th February 2012. Click here to apply.
