Supervisors: Dr Elisa Vasilopoulou and Dr Matthew Gage

Department: Comparative Biomedical Sciences  

Project Details

Macrophages are specialised white blood cells that have multiple functions ranging from fighting infections to aiding tissue repair following injury. Despite these critical roles, excess macrophage activation can lead to persistent inflammation and disease and it is therefore important to understand how macrophage function is regulated. Macrophages respond to chemical molecules, which are released by other cells to signal the presence of infectious pathogens or tissue injury. Fascinating new research has revealed that macrophage responses vary depending on the stiffness of the surrounding tissue. This is enabled by sensors on the macrophage cell surface that detect changes in pressure and work together with the actin cytoskeleton, a network of fibres that forms the backbone of cells, to regulate macrophage responses. The assembly of the actin cytoskeleton is orchestrated by various peptides. One of these peptides, thymosin-β4, is known to reduce tissue inflammation. This project aims to investigate whether thymosin-β4 modifies the ability of macrophages to respond to activation signals.  

References

1. Vasilopoulou E, Kolatsi-Joannou M, Lindenmeyer MT, White KE, Robson MG, Cohen CD, et al. Loss of endogenous thymosin beta(4) accelerates glomerular disease. Kidney Int. 2016;90(5):1056-70. 

2. Pineda-Torra I, Gage M, de Juan A, and Pello OM. Isolation, Culture, and Polarization of Murine Bone Marrow-Derived and Peritoneal Macrophages. Methods Mol Biol. 2015;1339:101-9. 

3. Wynn TA, and Vannella KM. Macrophages in Tissue Repair, Regeneration, and Fibrosis. Immunity. 2016;44(3):450-62. 

Requirements

Essential:

• Must meet our standard MRes entry requirements.
• Do not need to be a vet but must have a BSc or equivalent degree in biological sciences or related subject 

Desirable:

• Previous experience in cell culture/molecular biology techniques would be beneficial but is not essential. 

This is a full-time project commencing in October 2024, based at RVC's Camden campus. 

Please note, this project will involve isolating cells from laboratory animal tissues. 

Funding

Partially funded: The lab will be covering the project costs, with the MRes student expected to meet the course fees and their living expenses. 

International applicants are welcome to apply but must be able to fund the difference between "Home" and "Overseas" tuition fees. 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

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

Deadline: 1pm UK time, Friday 5th April

We welcome informal enquiries - these should be directed to Dr Elisa Vasilopoulou (evasilopoulou@rvc.ac.uk)

Interview date and location: TBC