Clinical and Experimental Sciences

Location:  Southampton General Hospital
Closing Date:  Friday 09 July 2021
Reference:  1400221FC

Main Supervisor: Dr Helena Lee

Other members of the supervisory team: Dr Jay Self; Dr Arjuna Ratnayaka

Funding information:

Due to funding restrictions this position is only open to UK applicants.

Amount of stipend and fees: £15,609 plus fees at UK rate only

Duration of the award: 36 months, full time

Project description: 

We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic PhD student to work at the interphase of cutting-edge, multidisciplinary, translational research; identifying novel therapeutics for albinism,  funded by the Gift of Sight charity. The student will be supported by a large team of vision researchers including clinicans, basic scientists and postdoctoral researchers.

Normal ocular and cutaneous pigmentation, retinal development and vision are dependent upon the tyrosinase (TYR) enzyme, which converts tyrosine to dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and melanin. Ocular DOPA levels normally peak in the early postnatal period and regulate retinal development by acting through the ocular albinism 1 (OA1) receptor to up-regulate pigment epithelial derived factor (PEDF). This pathway is disrupted in albinism, resulting in visual impairment. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of effective treatments for albinism. 

Our MRC funded OLIVIA study demonstrated that early postnatal L-DOPA supplementation prevents visual loss in oculocutaneous albinism. Unfortunately, L-DOPA is unlikely to be effective in other forms of albinism in which OA1 signalling is disrupted. Therefore, treatment(s) need to be developed that are not dependent on OA1. PEDF is a strong candidate as it acts downstream of OA1. 

This project will use electron microscopy, immunoblotting and/or ELISA techniques to validate PEDF as a treatment for albinism, using samples from the OLIVIA study. The in vivo efficacy of PEDF treatment will be evaluated in an albino mouse model using optical coherence tomography, electroretinography and OptoMotry. This project will also use a novel HEK293F cell-based pigmentation assay developed in our laboratory alongside  established TYR functional assays to conduct a high throughput candidate drug screening study, which will include a range of putative therapeutics and a panel of novel FDA approved drugs.

Please contact:   Helena Lee: Helena.Lee@soton.ac.uk 

Person Specification:   See below 

The selected candidate will have excellent organisational, communication and problem solving skills. A background or strong interest in retinal biology and/or neurosciences is desirable.

The successful candidate is likely to have the following qualifications:

• A 1^stor 2:1 degree in a relevant discipline and/or second degree with a related Masters

Administrative contact and how to apply:

Please complete the University's online application form, which you can find at 

https://studentrecords.soton.ac.uk/BNNRPROD/bzsksrch.P_Login?pos=7201&majr=7201&term=202122

You should enter HELENA LEE as your proposed supervisor. To support your application provide an academic CV (including contact details of two referees), official academic transcripts and a personal statement (outlining your suitability for the studentship, what you hope to achieve from the PhD and your research experience to date).

Informal enquiries relating to the project or candidate suitability should be directed to Helena Lee (Helena.Lee@soton.ac.uk).

Closing date:  09/07/2021

Interview date:  29/07/2021