Project description

Primary supervisor - Prof Stuart Rushworth

As the global population ages, it is increasingly important to understand the biological changes that drive physiological ageing. Ageing is associated with intrinsic metabolic alterations that disrupt tissue function and contribute to a wide range of age-related diseases. This PhD project will explore how metabolic ageing impacts blood stem cells, with a particular focus on glutamine metabolism and its role in sustaining blood production.

While our previous work has shown that the bone marrow environment contributes to the impaired immune response seen in aged individuals, emerging data indicate that blood stem cells themselves also acquire intrinsic metabolic defects. This project will investigate these cell-intrinsic metabolic changes and determine how they affect stem-cell function and metabolic output.

The successful candidate will receive comprehensive training in state-of-the-art technologies, including primary cell isolation, metabolomics, bioinformatics, and functional metabolic assays. Core techniques will include flow cytometry (FACS), LC–MS-based metabolite tracing, qPCR, western blotting, ELISA, and metabolic flux analysis. This broad and multidisciplinary skillset will equip the student with highly transferable expertise to support a successful future career in scientific research.

The project will be based in the Rushworth Lab at Norwich Medical School, UEA, which provides state-of-the-art research facilities embedded within a vibrant and collaborative medical research environment.

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 (Norwich Medical School 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

Linking mitochondria, fatty acids and HSC expansion during infection: implications for aging and metabolic diseases. Hampton K, Polski-Delve A, Hellmich C, Rushworth SA.

Stem Cells. 2025 Jul 29:sxaf053. doi: 10.1093/stmcls/sxaf053. Online ahead of print.

PMID: 40729343

p16INK4A-dependent senescence in the bone marrow niche drives age-related metabolic changes of hematopoietic progenitors. Hellmich C, Wojtowicz E, Moore JA, Mistry JJ, Jibril A, Johnson BB, Smith JGW, Beraza N, Bowles KM, Rushworth SA.

Blood Adv. 2023 Jan 24;7(2):256-268. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022007033.

Free fatty-acid transport via CD36 drives β-oxidation-mediated hematopoietic stem cell response to infection. Mistry JJ, Hellmich C, Moore JA, Jibril A, Macaulay I, Moreno-Gonzalez M, Di Palma F, Beraza N, Bowles KM, Rushworth SA.

Nat Commun. 2021 Dec 8;12(1):7130. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-27460-9.

Running on Empty: Metabolic Ageing in Blood Stem Cells (RUSHWORTH_U26DTP)

Project description

Entry requirements

Funding

References