Redox control of RNA splicing in cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with endothelial dysfunction playing a central role in the development of vascular, cardiac and renal disease. While oxidative stress is widely recognised as a major contributor to cardiovascular pathology, reactive oxygen species also act as important signalling molecules that regulate cellular function under normal physiological conditions.

Emerging evidence from our laboratory has identified a previously unrecognised link between redox signalling and the pathways that govern gene expression. Our preliminary studies suggest that oxidative modifications of key regulatory proteins can alter cellular gene expression programmes, contributing to hypertension, cardiovascular dysfunction and renal disease. However, the molecular mechanisms linking redox signalling to changes in gene regulation remain poorly understood.

This British Heart Foundation Discovery Research PhD Studentship will investigate how redox-dependent signalling influences gene expression and cellular function in the cardiovascular system, and how disruption of these pathways contributes to disease. The project aims to uncover fundamental biological mechanisms that drive cardiovascular pathology and identify new opportunities for therapeutic intervention.

The successful candidate will work across multiple experimental platforms, integrating advanced in vivo physiological models, ultrasound imaging, human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiovascular cells, and genome-wide long-read transcriptomic analysis. By combining whole-animal physiology with state-of-the-art genomic approaches and human cellular models, the project will provide unique insights into the interaction between redox signalling, gene regulation and cardiovascular disease.

Research environment

The student will join a highly interdisciplinary and internationally recognised cardiovascular research team with expertise in:

• Cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology
• Redox signalling and vascular biology
• Molecular and cellular biology
• Gene regulation and transcriptomics
• Human iPSC technologies
• Bioinformatics and computational biology

Training opportunities

This studentship offers comprehensive training in:

• In vivo cardiovascular physiological phenotyping
• Genetically modified mouse models
• Long-read RNA sequencing and transcriptomics
• Bioinformatics and data science
• Human iPSC-derived vascular and cardiovascular cell systems
• Molecular and cellular biology techniques
• Scientific communication and interdisciplinary research

The project provides a unique opportunity to develop expertise spanning molecular mechanisms through to whole-organism physiology, equipping the student with skills highly sought after in both academia and industry.

Candidate requirements

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated graduate who is excited by multidisciplinary research and able to work effectively across physiology, molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics. As this project combines in vivo physiology with cutting-edge genomic and stem cell technologies, candidates should be keen to develop skills across a range of experimental approaches and collaborate with researchers from different scientific backgrounds. Experience working with animal models and possession of a UK Home Office Personal Licence (PIL) would be highly desirable. Experience in molecular biology, transcriptomics or bioinformatics would also be advantageous.

Why Apply?

This studentship offers the opportunity to:

• Investigate a completely novel area of cardiovascular biology.
• Combine cardiovascular physiology, genomics and stem cell biology within a single project.
• Gain training in cutting-edge technologies including long-read transcriptomics, in vivo techniques, ultrasound imaging and human iPSC models.
• Work within a collaborative and supportive multidisciplinary research environment.
• Contribute to research with direct relevance to cardiovascular, vascular and kidney disease.

Diversity statement

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.

• Funded PhD Project (UK students only)
• 100% of home tuition fees paid
• BHF Stipend starting at £21,114
• Research Costs