Non-coding RNAs in endometrial function

Summary

The pre- and per-implantation period of pregnancy is critical not only for pregnancy success but changes to the maternal environment during this period have impacts on the life-course health of individuals. Studies from our lab have recently identified that there are non-coding RNAs that regulate pathways in the endometrium that are important for pregnancy success and implantation. This PhD project will focus around how these noncoding RNAs are regulated and how modifications to these can impact on the function of the endometrium for successful pregnancy as well as how these are perturbed in maternal stress.

References

Placental mammal derived microRNAs alter pathways in the endometrial epithelia important for endometrial function Laura Hume, Jessica C. Edge, Haidee Tinning, Dapeng Wang, Alysha S. Taylor, Vladimir Ovchinnikov, Annika Geijer-Simpson, Jan J. Brosens, Emma S. Lucas, Nigel A.B. Simson, Jane Shillito, Karen Forbes, Mary J. O’Connell, Niamh Forde. 2022 bioRxiv 2022.04.23.489270; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.04.23.489270

A burst of regulatory and protein innovation at the origin of placental mammals drove the emergence of placenta and underpins divergent early pregnancy strategies in modern mammals. Alysha S. Taylor, Haidee Tinning, Vladimir Ovchinnikov, William Smith, Anna L. Pullinger, Ruth A. Sutton, Bede Constantinides, Dapeng Wang, Niamh Forde, Mary J O’Connell. 2021 bioRxiv 2021.07.22.453388; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.07.22.453388

The role of CAPG in molecular communication between the embryo and the uterine endometrium: Is its function conserved in species with different implantation strategies?

Tinning H, Taylor A, Wang D, Constantinides B, Sutton R, Oikonomou G, Velazquez MA, Thompson P, Treumann A, O'Connell MJ, Forde N. FASEB J. 2020 Aug;34(8):11015-11029. doi: 10.1096/fj.202000882RR. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

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 area is desirable but not essential.

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 minimum requirements for this programme in IELTS and TOEFL tests 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.