Newcastle University 2021 PhD studentship in Immunity & Inflammation

Addison’s disease is a rare condition caused by autoimmune destruction of the adrenal glands. Untreated it is invariably fatal and following treatment it leaves people dependent on taking daily steroid medication, lifelong. Although knowledge is increasing, what causes most autoimmune diseases remains poorly defined at the molecular level. A defect in immune tolerance, whereby an abnormal immune system generates a destructive immune response against a ‘normal’ host protein has long been postulated and indeed, it has been confirmed that variants in several immune system genes contribute to Addison’s disease and other autoimmune conditions. Abnormalities or natural variations in the proteins that make up the target of the autoimmune response could also have a role in autoimmune diseases, and when these occur, they might be expected to correlate with the specific tissue or organ involved in the condition.

This studentship will explore the hypothesis that variation in steroid 21-hydroxylase, the key autoantigen for Addison’s disease, is a key reason that people develop the condition. The student will gain experience in a large variety of techniques including genotyping, gene expression analysis and tissue culture. Understanding the regulation of the key target proteins for the immune response in Addison’s disease will allow us to get important insights into why the condition develops and facilitate the development of new treatments for the condition.

• Table of Content
• About Newcastle University
• PhD studentship in Immunity & Inflammation
• Aim and Benefits of PhD studentship in Immunity & Inflammation
• Requirements for PhD studentship in Immunity & Inflammation Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

PhD studentship in Immunity & Inflammation

Aim and Benefits of PhD studentship in Immunity & Inflammation

100% of Home tuition fees paid and annual living expenses of £15,285 (full award).

Requirements for PhD studentship in Immunity & Inflammation Qualification

You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree in genetics, immunology, biomedicine, biochemistry or a related area.

A further qualification such as an MSc or MRes is advantageous.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

All applicants should complete the University’s postgraduate application system when applying for a studentship.

• Click on programme of study
• Insert 8300F in the programme code section and click search
• Select Programme name ‘PhD in the Faculty of Medical Sciences (full time) –Endocrinology
• Insert TC026 in the studentship/partnership reference field
• Attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code TC026 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project
• Attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualification. You will not be able to submit your application until you have submitted your degree transcript/s.

For more details, visit Newcastle University website.