| Level: | PhD |
| Tuition: | Full coverage |
| Deadline: | Jan 22, 2027 |
| Duration max: | 99 months |
| Level: | PhD |
| Tuition: | Full coverage |
| Deadline: | Jan 22, 2027 |
| Duration max: | 99 months |
The intestine has important and unique functions that are absolutely essential for maintaining whole organism health. Around 40% of the body’s energy expenditure can be attributed to regulation of the intestinal barrier between luminal contents and the body. This is exquisitely controlled to prevent malnutrition or systemic infection by commensal or pathogenic bacteria. Daily absorption of fluids (dietary and secretions) from the intestinal lumen into the body is in the region of 8 litres. To achieve efficient absorption, the intestine has a surface area of around 400m2 and an epithelial layer that is only one cell thick. This process provides a huge challenge to prevent invasion by the luminal microbiome. Intestinal permeability and epithelial cell health status are particularly important regulators of intestinal barrier function and if compromised can lead to a multitude of diseases (intestinal and systemic) and inflammation. The physiological mechanisms that maintain this tightly regulated barrier remain incompletely understood and are difficult to explore owing to the lack of suitable in-vitro models.
Studentships are funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) for 4 years. Funding will cover tuition fees at the UK rate only, a Research Training and Support Grant (RTSG) and stipend. We aim to support the most outstanding applicants from outside the UK and are able to offer a limited number of bursaries that will enable full studentships to be awarded to international applicants. These full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality candidates, due to the competitive nature of this scheme.
Open to students worldwide