Fixed-term

Project overview Skin morphogenesis occurs under stringent control of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and result in a formation of the epidermis and a number of different skin appendages (including, the hair follicle, HF). Skin serves as an important source of adult stem cells (SCs) required for formation and regeneration of the skin and HF during post-natal life has the remarkable regenerative capacity apparent during successive rounds of HF cycles. Therefore, making it a highly tractable model system to explore the genetic circuits of self-renewal, maintenance and differentiation underlying tissue development, regeneration of adult epithelia. Recent reports have demonstrate that activity of many signalling pathways implicated in the control of SC activity are regulated by small none-coding RNAs called microRNAs (miRNAs), which represent a newly recognized and important level of regulation of cell fate during execution of the lineage-specific gene expression programmes. MiRNAs and their targets represent remarkably diverse regulatory networks, playing a key role in the tight regulation of gene expression programs, while mis-regulation can lead to tumourigenesis. Given their relatively small size and broad mechanisms of action making them ideal for further exploration for the identification and better understanding of their role in skin homeostasis and development. This project will build on previous publications (Ahmed et al. 2014, 2011, 2010) and preliminary data generated in the Ahmed laboratory. This project will specifically focus a novel miRNA, and their role in skin and hair follicle development by regulating potentially skin stem cells and skin keratinocytes proliferation and differentiation. References * Stenn KS, Paus R. Physiol Rev. 2001 Jan;81(1):449-494. Controls of hair follicle cycling; * Marlon R. Schneider, Ruth Schmidt-Ullrich, Ralf Paus. (2009), The Hair Follicle as a Dynamic Miniorgan, Current Biology, 19 (3), R132-R142; * Ralf Paus, and George Cotsarelis, N Engl J Med 1999; 341:491-497. * R, Yi and E, Fuchs. Cell Death and Differentiation (2010) 17, 229–235. MicroRNA-mediated control in the skin. (and references within); * Ahmed MI et al. J Cell Biol. 2014 Nov 24;207(4):549-67.MicroRNA-214 controls skin and hair follicle development by modulating the activity of the Wnt pathway; * Ahmed MI et al. J Cell Sci. 2011 Oct 15; 124(20): 3399–3404.  MicroRNA-21 is an important downstream component of BMP signalling in epidermal keratinocytes; * Mardaryev AN, Ahmed MI et al. FASEB J. 2010 Oct;24(10):3869-81. Micro-RNA-31 controls hair cycle-associated changes in gene expression programs of the skin and hair follicle. Supervisor Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Entry qualifications To be eligible to apply you must hold, or expect to obtain, a UK Masters degree (or UK equivalent according to NARIC) with a minimum of a merit, and / or a UK first class or 2.1 BSc (or UK equivalent according to NARIC) in a relevant subject. How to apply Contact Dr. Mohammed Ahmed for informal discussions about this project. Applications are accepted all year round. For a step-by-step guide and to make an application, please visit our how to apply page. Fees and funding This is a self-funded PhD opportunity. Find out about fees and funding for PhD projects. Guidance and support Further information on guidance and support can be found on this page. Still need help? Contact Dr. Mohammed Ahmed on: Email: mohammed.ahmed@ntu.ac.uk

Project overview We would like to investigate and understand the processes involved in Lung development, such as, cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis that are modulated/deregulated during development leading to the development of Lung disease and cancer. The discovery of numerous non-coding RNAs has dramatically changed our understanding of cell biology, and we aim to investigate their role in lung epithelial development. Research into the roles of miRNAs in lung development and disease is at the early stages. This project will build on the work of Dr. Mohammed Ahmed, supported by additional supervisors with complementary specialist expertise, all having published in high quality journals. The Ahmed group are within the world-leading REF2014 Biomedical Sciences Research Centre and has experience of a range of molecular cell biology techniques, including mammalian cell culture, 3D cultures, expression analysis, immunofluorescence, real time QPCR and Western blot analysis. The Ahmed lab are situated in the School of Science and Technology, which encourages multidisciplinary research and has a diverse and supportive postgraduate community. Duration: typical three years full time Funding: self-funded students only Supervisors: Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Entry qualifications Applicants should hold, or be expected to hold, an UK Master’s degree (or UK equivalent according to NARIC) with a minimum of a commendation, and/or a UK 1stClass / 2.1 Bachelor’s Honour’s Degree (or UK equivalent according to NARIC) in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related Biosciences related subject. How to apply Applications are accepted all year round. For a step-by-step guide and to make an application, please visit our how to apply page. Fees and funding This PhD is self-funded. Guidance and support Further guidance and support on how to apply can be found on this page. Still need help? Contact Dr M Ahmed on: Email: mohammed.ahmed@ntu.ac.uk

Project overview In 2024 we carefully quantitated a method allowing the probing of some aspects of the physiological status of a honeybee colony (see References). The method consists of providing the colony, at randomised times, with an ultra short, weak vibrational shock wave that results in (i) the immobilisation of the individuals for a fraction of a second, followed by (ii) the individuals buzzing their wings, resulting in either whooping signals and/or an overall buzzing response for 2 to 10 seconds. The shock wave is provided with an electromagnetic shaker attached to the hive, and the colony’s responses are recorded e.g. by means of an accelerometer inserted inside the colony. The measurement is fully automated by means of using a computer. The immobilisation phenomenon is causing a drop in the measured colony’s vibration, and in this project you will use this to provide non-invasive measurements of the individuals’ mobility all through the year. The buzzing and the whooping signals are measured with an amplitude which varies in the day, and in the year. In this project you will explore and provide more detailed insight into the physiological status changes that this separate measurement is allowing. To do this, you will use a very small colony on a single frame, in an observation hive, which you will video record from both sides. You will be able to change the physiological status of the small colony and correlate the response changes and repeat the procedure on several colonies. Your work will involve working with honeybees, computers, and measurement devices which you will assemble and test. You will write simple programs to run and analyse the measurements. You will provide scientific breakthroughs in the fundamental understanding of this particular phenomenon which is remarkably similar to the reflex arcs observed in many mammals. In doing so, numerous applications will be made available to beekeepers and scientists. Supervisor Martin Bencsik Application deadline Applications open year round Entry qualifications BSc or MSc in a relevant scientific discipline How to apply Please visit our how to apply page for a step-by-step guide and make an application. Fees and funding This is a self-funded PhD project for UK and International applicants. Guidance and support Find out about guidance and support for PhD students. Still need help? +44 (0)115 848 2999

Project overview Skin morphogenesis occurs under stringent control of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and result in a formation of the epidermis and a number of different skin appendages (including, the hair follicle, HF). Skin serves as an important source of adult stem cells (SCs) required for formation and regeneration of the skin Therefore, making it a highly tractable model system to explore the genetic circuits of self-renewal, maintenance and differentiation underlying tissue development, regeneration of adult epithelia. This programme will specifically focus on defining the role of molecular regulators which underlie; i) psoriasis and ii) Hidradenitis suppurativa. Psoriasis is an inflammatory, T-cell-mediated skin disease possessing a variable distribution, severity and course from patient to patient. It affects ~3% of the world population, although the regional prevalence may differ. Immunologically it is characterized by the intense proliferation and aberrant differentiation of keratinocytes, and the infiltration of the epidermis with lymphocytes and neutrophils wherein T-cells, dendritic cells and certain inflammatory cytokines act as the principal actors. In addition to immunological involvement, psoriasis has been shown to possess genetic susceptibility and is susceptible to environmental triggers. While, hidradenitis suppurativa is a painful, long term skin condition that causes abscesses and scarring on the skin. The exact cause of hidradenitis suppurativa is unknown, but it occurs near hair follicles where there are sweat glands, usually around the groin, bottom, breasts and armpits. This will lead to the identification and targeting of the molecular regulators identified and required for normal skin homeostasis and regeneration. This project will build on the work of Dr. Mohammed Ahmed, supported by additional supervisors with complementary specialist expertise, all having published in high quality journals.  The Ahmed group is within the world-leading REF2014 Biomedical Sciences Research Centre and has experience of a range of molecular cell biology techniques, including mammalian cell culture, in situ hybridization expression analysis, immunofluorescence, real time QPCR and Western blot analysis. The Ahmed lab is situated in the School of Science and Technology, which encourages multidisciplinary research and has a diverse and supportive postgraduate community. Entry requirements Applicants should hold, or be expected to hold, an UK Master’s degree (or UK equivalent according to NARIC) with a minimum of a commendation, and/or a UK 1stClass / 2.1 Bachelor’s Honour’s Degree (or UK equivalent according to NARIC) in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related Biosciences related subject. How to apply This project has no application deadline. For a step-by-step guide and to make an application, please visit our how to apply page. Fees and Funding This is a self-funded project, please see our fees and funding page for more information. Entry qualifications Applicants should hold, or be expected to hold, a UK Master’s degree (or UK equivalent according to NARIC) with a minimum of a commendation, and/or a UK 1st Class / 2.1 Bachelor’s Honour’s Degree (or UK equivalent according to NARIC) in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related Biosciences related subject. How to apply Applications are accepted all year round. For a step-by-step guide and to make an application, please visit our how to apply page. Fees and funding This PhD is self-funded. Guidance and support Further guidance and support on how to apply can be found on this page. Still need help? Contact Dr M Ahmed on: Email: mohammed.ahmed@ntu.ac.uk

Project overview Breast cancer represents a major health burden, with it being the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. We would like to understand the processes, such as, cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis that are modulated/deregulated during mammary gland development leading to the development of breast cancer. The discovery of numerous non-coding RNAs has dramatically changed our understanding of cell biology, especially the pathophysiology of breast cancer and we aim to investigate their role in breast cancer development using 3D models. This project will build on the work of Dr. Mohammed Ahmed and Dr. Amanda Coutts, supported by additional supervisors with complementary specialist expertise, all having published in high-quality journals. The Ahmed and Coutts groups are within the world-leading REF2014 Biomedical Sciences Research Centre and has experience of a range of molecular cell biology techniques, including mammalian cell culture, 3D cultures, expression analysis, immunofluorescence, real-time QPCR and Western blot analysis. The Ahmed and Coutts labs are situated in the School of Science and Technology, which encourages multidisciplinary research and has a diverse and supportive postgraduate community. Entry qualifications Applicants should hold, or be expected to hold, an UK Master’s degree (or UK equivalent according to NARIC) with a minimum of a commendation, and/or a UK 1stClass / 2.1 Bachelor’s Honour’s Degree (or UK equivalent according to NARIC) in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related Biosciences related subject. How to apply Applications are accepted all year round. For a step-by-step guide and to make an application, please visit our how to apply page. Fees and funding This PhD is self-funded. Visit our fees and funding page for more information. Guidance and support Please see our how to apply page. Still need help? Contact Dr M Ahmed on: Email: mohammed.ahmed@ntu.ac.uk