LICAMM Blood-brain barrier dysfunction in ischemic stroke

Summary

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a physical and biochemical barrier that precisely controls cerebral homeostasis. It also plays a crucial role in the regulation of blood-to-brain flux of endogenous and exogenous xenobiotics and associated metabolites. This is accomplished by molecular characteristics of brain micro vessel endothelial cells such as tight junction protein complexes and functional expression of influx and efflux transporters. One of the pathophysiological features of ischemic stroke is disruption of the BBB, which significantly contributes to development of brain injury and subsequent neurological impairment.

The main aim of this project is to examine the effects of ischaemic stroke on blood brain barrier damage using both in vivo and in vitro models. This will help us to understand the role of BBB implication in cerebral ischaemia, which could lead to the development of new therapies for this devastating disease.

You will be given training on cell culture, in vivo murine model of stroke, immunohistochemistry, Western Blotting, and molecular biological techniques. You will also participate in a weekly lab meeting and journal club to share your work with the group. You will have the advantage of working in a multidisciplinary environment and you will gain experience in presentation and publication of research work.

References

• Jiang et al. (2018) Blood-brain barrier dysfunction and recovery after ischemic stroke. Prog Neurobiol.163-164: 144–171.

• Jiao, H. et al. (2011) ‘Specific role of tight junction proteins claudin-5, occludin, and ZO-1 of the blood-brain barrier in a focal cerebral ischemic insult’, Journal of Molecular Neuroscience, 44(2), pp. 130–139. doi: 10.1007/s12031-011-9496-4.

• Karpiak, S. E., Tagliavia, A. and Wakade, C. G. (1989) ‘Animal models for the study of drugs in ischemic stroke’, Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol, pp. 403–414. doi: 10.1146/annurev.pa.29.040189.002155.

• Liebner, S. et al. (2018) ‘Functional morphology of the blood–brain barrier in health and disease’, Acta Neuropathologica. Springer Verlag, pp. 311–336. doi: 10.1007/s00401-018-1815-1.

• Liu, P. et al. (2018) ‘Time-course investigation of blood–brain barrier permeability and tight junction protein changes in a rat model of permanent focal ischemia’, Journal of Physiological Sciences. Springer Japan, 68(2), pp. 121–127. doi: 10.1007/s12576-016-0516-6.
  

A degree in biological sciences, dentistry, medicine, midwifery, nursing, psychology or a good honours degree in a subject relevant to the research topic. A Masters degree in a relevant subject may also be required in some areas of the Faculty. For entry requirements for all other research degrees we offer, please contact us.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence that their English language is sufficient to meet the specific demands of their study. The Faculty of Medicine and Health minimum requirements in IELTS and TOEFL tests for PhD, MSc, MPhil, MD are: • British Council IELTS - score of 7.0 overall, with no element less than 6.5 • TOEFL iBT - overall score of 100 with the listening and reading element no less than 22, writing element no less than 23 and the speaking element no less than 24.