Mechanistic basis of photobiomodulation – an in vitro cellular and microbiome study

Summary

One funded scholarship is available in the School of Food Science and Nutrition in 2025.

This scholarship has home fee funding only. This project is fully funded for applicants with UK fee status. International applicants will need to fund the difference in international and home fees. Please see the 'funding on offer' section below for more information.

This funded Master by Research provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research in a range of fields relating to Cell Biology, Immunology, and Microbiology, with potential applications in treating fatigue and promoting gut and whole-body health.

The School of Food Science & Nutrition invites applications from prospective applicants with bachelor’s degree in a related discipline who wish to commence study for a Master by Research in the academic year 2025/2026. Applicants with cell culture skills or experience are preferred.

The study will employ a combined approach employing in vitro models of the human colonic microbiota and co-culture cell models (epithelial cells and immune cells) to study the influence of photobiomodulation (PBM) on microbiota energy metabolism, mitochondrial metabolism and cell redox. The in vitro colonic microbiota model employed at University of Leeds, was specifically designed to mimic colonic carbohydrate fermentation and the most recent iteration, MiGUT, has been miniaturised and multiplexed to allow higher throughput and improved experimental design. Combined with high throughput 16SrRNA sequencing and metabolite analysis, specifically, quantification of short chain fatty acids by GC-MS, this model system provides a unique tool to quantify colonic microbiota carbohydrate/fibre fermentation, a core process driving gut and whole-body health. The human cell co-culture technique we employ allows growing two types of cells together in a plate with a ‘insert’ mechanism, and the simultaneous measurement of intercellular communication via gene expression or bioelectrical signalling. The cells proposed to be used include human fibroblast cells, peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC), intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2), and the skeletal muscle cells (HSkMC). The working hypothesis is the lights shed on one type of cells, e.g., fibroblasts, and trigger changes of ROS level and membrane potential both in the mitochondria and cytoplasma. Such changes will pass on from the cells on the site of light stimulation to their surrounding cells and induce sequential changes in cell membrane potential and redox modulators.

Expected Research Outcomes:

1. First hand evidence on the cell-cell bioelectrical communication between fibroblasts and other types of surrounding cells.

2. Measurement of the ability of PBM to modulate colonic microbiota carbohydrate fermentation rate.

3. The primary explanation of the cell mechanism of PBM’s therapeutic effects on multiple tissues/systems.

4. A peer-review research article published on recognised scientific journals.

Information about the Award

We are offering 1 full-time MRes scholarship in the School of Food Science and Nutrition for one UK or international candidate, covering a maintenance grant matching UKRI maintenance stipend (£19,237 in 2024/25) and UK tuition fees for ONE year, subject to satisfactory progress. Please see ‘funding on offer’ section before applying.

Duration of the Award
Full-time (1 years). The award will be made for one year.

Other Conditions
o Award must be taken up by 1st September 2025 or earlier.
o Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.