The University of Technology Sydney Finding safe and effective therapies for stroke in children, Australia for 2023

About the University of Technology Sydney and Scholarship

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia is home to the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), a public research institution. Despite having its roots as a technical school dating back to the 1870s, the university was created in its current form in 1988.

Dilated blood arteries that create a non-malignant but potentially lethal disorder called cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) cause strokes. CCM is a leading cause of stroke in young people, who as a result lose many years of quality life, and is frequently seen in the brain in as many as 1 in 200 persons. The sole existing therapy is brain surgery, thus there is a pressing need for novel CCM treatments.

Project 1

Males had a higher CCM load, according to clinical findings and their early results in mice models. Men are more likely than women to experience early onset and severe cardiovascular disease, which may contribute to the male susceptibility to CCM. It is uncertain and has not been researched whether the obvious sex difference represents a protective impact of estrogens/progesterone or a harmful effect of androgens. As a result, the study intends to clarify the functions of sex hormones in CCM and demonstrate their potential application as a CCM treatment.

Project 2

The gut microbiota has lately been recognized by the university as an essential CCM stimulator. In animal models, broad-spectrum antibiotics stopped the development of CCM lesions. The ongoing use of broad-spectrum antibiotics is not appropriate for the long-term treatment of CCM patients while being extremely successful in rat models of illness. They destroy microorganisms that are important to human health, which is likely to have severe negative effects. By focusing on the gut microbiota, their findings have proposed fresh treatment approaches. Therefore, the project’s goal is to clarify the involvement of the gut microbiome in CCM and show how microbiome-targeted CCM treatment may be used.

Details about Finding safe and effective therapies for stroke in children at the University of Technology Sydney:

Scholarship Sponsor: University of Technology Sydney, Australia

Eligibility Criteria for Finding safe and effective therapies for stroke in children

Applicants are advised to meet the following requirements to be qualified to find safe and effective therapies for stroke in children at the University of Technology Sydney:

Candidates must be nationals or permanent residents of Australia or New Zealand.
A bachelor’s degree in a biological or medical field is required for applicants.
Own a stellar academic record and previous lab experience
Completion of a bachelor’s degree in honors with a first- or second-class division, a master’s degree in science with a strong research component, or MSc coursework.

Selection Procedure

Each candidate must:

Possess great communication skills, the capacity to work with a variety of individuals and within existing collaborative teams, and be highly driven and capable of working independently.
Possess an understanding of the needs and environment of a research or laboratory
Know how to use common research applications on a computer.
Demonstrate a desire to learn sophisticated software
Possess the ability to keep accurate laboratory records
Possess proficiency with common lab methods such as bacterial culture, reduction/alkylation techniques, correct pipetting (1ul), sample normalization knowledge, and biochemical extractions (proteins, lipids, and metabolites).
Possess expertise in conventional microscopy
Be prepared to run and oversee in vivo animal models in conjunction with experienced animal handlers, or to perform in vivo mouse models.

Application Process for Finding safe and effective therapies for stroke in children

Candidates should get in touch with Dr Peter Choi and Prof. Phil Hansbro for more details and instructions on how to apply. Include a CV and a succinct statement outlining your interest in the project. Details about the shortlisted candidates will be communicated to them.

UTS Centenary Centre for Inflammation

The Submission Deadline is: 01 November 2023