Supervisors: Dr Ashton Faulkner & Dr Matt Gage

Department: Comparative Biomedical Sciences

Project Detail:

The presence of arachidonic acid (ARA) within the cell phospholipid membrane allows for sufficient membrane fluidity and flexibility1. In endothelial cells, such properties are integral for functions such as migration, permeability and angiogenesis2. In conditions of saturated fatty acid excess, such as obesity and diabetes, displacement of ARA from the membrane and changes in cell metabolism contribute towards endothelial dysfunction and development of cardiovascular disease1-3.MBOAT7, an ARA-selective acyltransferase within the phospholipid remodelling pathway, has been identified as an important determinant of several human disorders and mechanistically linked to altered membrane fluidity and cell metabolism4. However, the importance of MBOAT7 in endothelial cells in cardiovascular disease is not yet known. New data from our lab has led us to hypothesise that MBOAT7 is required for efficient angiogenic function of human endothelial cells and that loss of MBOAT7 would lead to altered cell membrane compaction and metabolism.

To test the above hypothesis, the MRes student will complete the following objectives:

1. Demonstrate that loss of MBOAT7 impairs endothelial cell angiogenic function.

2. Investigate if loss of MBOAT7 is associated with altered membrane compaction and changes in metabolism.

3. Identify changes in endothelial MBOAT7 expression in response to diabetes-related metabolic stress.

In completing this project you will develop skills in a wide range of laboratory techniques including primary cell culture, functional assays (angiogenesis, migration, proliferation), molecular biology (gene silencing/RT-qPCR/western blotting), imaging, and metabolism (including extracellular flux analysis).

To be successful, you will need to be enthusiastic, with an interest in cardiovascular science and/or molecular metabolism, and keen to develop yourself as a laboratory scientist. Given the wide-ranging technical skills gained in this project, it would be ideally suited for anyone considering pursuing PhD level research training.

Informal enquiries are welcome. Please contact Dr Ashton Faulkner by email (afaulkner@rvc.ac.uk) in the first instance.

References:

1. Zhou et al. (2021). Int J Mol Sci, 22(21): 12029.

2. Blanchard & Busik (2017). Biophysical Journal, 112(5): 831-833.

3. Mallick & Duttaroy (2022). Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry 477:15–38.

4. Caddeo et al. (2023). Liver International, 43(11): 2351-2364. 

Requirements

Essential

• Must meet our standard MRes entry requirements
• Undergraduate degree in a biological/biomedical science or related field (including human medicine).
• Previous experience within a research lab Interest in cardiovascular science and/or molecular metabolism

Desirable

• Prior experience in primary cell culture
• Prior experience in general laboratory techniques (e.g. western blotting, qPCR, ELISA, immunofluorescence staining)

This can be taken full-time or part-time (12months FTE) with the project commencing in October 2026, based at RVC's Camden campus.This project does not involve any work on animals.

Funding

Partially funded: The MRes student will be expected to meet their course fees and living expenses. All other project costs will be met by the supervisor.

Home and International students welcome to apply.

Please note that EU/EEA and Swiss national students may no longer be eligible for the “Home” rate of tuition fees, dependent on personal circumstances (including immigration status and residence history in the UK) and UK government rules which are currently being developed. For up-to-date information on fees for EU/EEA and Swiss national students following Brexit please see our fees and funding page.

How to Apply:

Deadline: 8th May 2026

For more information on the application process and English Language requirements see How to Apply.

Interviews will take place remotely (Teams, Zoom etc) within 4 weeks of the closing date. We welcome informal enquiries - these should be directed to afaulkner@rvc.ac.uk