Project description

Platelets are increasingly recognised as key regulators of immune responses, extending their function far beyond their traditional role in blood clotting. This project will investigate how a high-fat diet and obesity impact megakaryocyte function and platelet production, and how these changes impair the immune response to infection. Platelets are produced by megakaryocytes, and their quantity and function can be influenced by metabolic status. Our focus is on understanding how obesity, through altered megakaryocyte and platelet production and function, may impair the immune response. Our preliminary data suggest that obesity induces distinct gene expression in some but not all megakaryocytes and that not all megakaryocytes contribute to platelet production. This potentially suggests the number and immune function of platelets will be altered. As part of this research, you will use advanced technologies including imaging flow cytometry, lineage tracing and single-cell platforms available in the Earlham Institute laboratories, to dissect the pathways by which high-fat diet and obesity reshape megakaryocyte and platelet-mediated immune functions, which could serve as potential targets for pharmacological interventions in the obese and elderly. You will also benefit from collaborations with pharmaceutical companies, offering opportunities to translate your findings into meaningful applications. You will be part of a highly collaborative and supportive research environment, with inter-disciplinary expertise in molecular biology, cellular genomics, single-cell analysis, and computational biology. This PhD program offers a unique opportunity to contribute to our understanding of immunology and megakaryocyte biology and its implications for health and disease. If you are passionate about making a difference in human health studies, we invite you to apply and be part of this exciting research.

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2026 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) during their study. The placement offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team.

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 3,4 or 5 February 2026.

Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/.

Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background.

To maximise accessibility and attract students from underrepresented groups to our programme we have introduced bespoke templates for applicant Personal and Research statements which will enable every applicant to fully represent themselves through providing suitable examples and evidence. These forms are on the NRPDTP website and must be used for these sections of the application form.

Entry requirements

At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category).

Funding

This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2025/6 stipend rate: £20,780), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.

References

Wojtowicz EE, Hampton K, Moreno-Gonzalez M, Utting CL, Lan Y, Ruiz P, et al. Low protein diet protects the liver from Salmonella Typhimurium-mediated injury by modulating the mTOR/autophagy axis in macrophages. Commun Biol. 2024;7: 1219.

Wojtowicz EE, Mistry JJ, Uzun V, Hellmich C, Scoones A, Chin DW, et al. Panhematopoietic RNA barcoding enables kinetic measurements of nucleate and anucleate lineages and the activation of myeloid clones following acute platelet depletion. Genome Biol. 2023;24: 152.

Wojtowicz EE, Lechman ER, Hermans KG, Schoof EM, Wienholds E, Isserlin R, et al. Ectopic miR-125a Expression Induces Long-Term Repopulating Stem Cell Capacity in Mouse and Human Hematopoietic Progenitors. Cell Stem Cell. 2016;19: 383–396.

Barrachina MN, Pernes G, Becker IC, Allaeys I, Hirsch TI, Groeneveld DJ, et al. Efficient megakaryopoiesis and platelet production require phospholipid remodeling and PUFA uptake through CD36. Nat Cardiovasc Res. 2023;2: 746–763.

Megakaryocyte mysteries: How high fat diets reshape blood and immunity (WOJTOWICZ_E26DTP)

Project description

Entry requirements

Funding

References