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PhD Studentship in AKT Signaling in Myogenesis

Deadline: 31.12.2008.

Scholarship administrator: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Level: postgraduate
Field of study: Medicine and Health
Place of study: United Kingdom

 

UK: PhD Studentship in AKT Signaling in Myogenesis: Improving Insulin Resistance in Type II Diabetes

Myogenesis is the process by which proliferating and committed myoblasts exit from the cell cycle and fuse to become multinucleated myotubes that express muscle-specific genes; as part of the myogenic process, cells that do not successfully exit the cell cycle are removed by apoptosis, but differentiated cells acquire enhanced cell survival properties. Myotubes and mature muscle have a unique metabolism, being responsible for a substantial proportion of total glucose utilisation. Myogenesis therefore provides an excellent paradigm for the investigation of fundamental cell processes. One of the key signalling pathways essential for myoblast differentiation and function is PI3 kinase/Akt, essential downstream targets of both the insulin- and IGF-receptors whose signalling is necessary in myoblasts. Akt exists as three isoforms and we have recently identified a key role for Akt2 (Gonzalez et al. 2004 Mol. Cell. Biol. 24:3607).

The aim of this project is to investigate further the role of Akt in myogenesis and muscle metabolism. Type II diabetes is one of the fastest-growing diseases of the Western world. A major initial cause is a deficiency in peripheral glucose uptake. As Akt provides a common link between both the insulin and the IGF receptors, we wish to examine the hypothesis that overexpression of Akt could increase myoblast sensitivity to insulin/IGF ligands, thus improving glucose uptake.

The project will have a multidisciplinary approach: cell signalling, cell culture and biology use of transgenic mice for in vivo and ex vivo studies. Thus, the student will learn a range of molecular and cellular biology and transgenic techniques. This project is related to a Research Council-funded project that is ongoing in our lab. The student will therefore have the support of two postdoctoral associates, as well as other students in the lab.

We are looking for someone who is keen to achieve in research; our lab. ethos is of individual growth while helping with and gaining from being part of a team.

Informal enquiries by ‘phone (01223 496454) or e-mail (jenny.pell@bbsrc.ac.uk) are welcome.

Contact:

Dr Jenny Pell
Email: jenny.pell@bbsrc.ac.uk  
Tel: 01223 496454

 

 

 

 

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