Unlocking healthy ageing: harnessing proteostasis pathways to promote extracellular matrix function (TAYLOR_U27DTP)
Key details
- Application Deadline
- 30 November 2026 23:59 UK Time
- Location
- UEA
- Funding Type
- Competition Funded (Home and International)
- Start Date
- 1 October 2027
- Mode of Study
- Full-time
- Programme Type
- PhD
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Project Description
Primary Supervisor - Dr Rebecca Taylor
Background
Ageing causes increased frailty and higher rates of disease. As societies age, this presents an enormous public health challenge, making understanding the ageing process critically important to develop ways to promote age-related health.
One prominent characteristic of ageing is altered extracellular matrix (ECM) structure and function. Changes in ECM properties have been implicated in age-related conditions including cancer, hypertension and stroke, suggesting that therapies targeting the ECM hold high potential to treat age-associated disease.
Another cause of age-related frailty and disease is a collapse in cellular stress responses, molecular pathways that safeguard cellular health. In fact, recent studies show that driving stress response activation increases longevity and resilience, emphasising their core role in healthy ageing. However, how stress responses may affect ECM ageing remains unexplored.
Our preliminary evidence suggests that driving activation of a key stress response in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans influences expression of ECM components and promotes healthy ageing. This project will test the effects of stress response activation on composition, structure and function of the ECM during ageing, and determine whether these changes drive prolonged healthspan.
Methodology
You will utilise transcriptomics and proteomics to determine ECM composition, and advanced imaging techniques including confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy to examine ECM structure. You will also use genetic approaches coupled with physiological and survival assays to understand how changes to ECM function influence healthspan.
Training
You will gain a wide range of skills in experimental design, bioinformatics, scientific writing and presentation. You will also build expertise in ageing biology, cell biology, ‘omics approaches and genetic techniques. In addition, you will participate in external training courses and conferences, local seminars, research discussion groups and journal clubs.
Person specification
We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual with a strong interest in ageing biology and genetics.
The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2027 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 the 2nd, 3rd and 4th February 2027.
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 (2026/27 stipend rate: £21,805, and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.