Student Profiles

Maria
Newcastle University

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Dean: Newcastle University

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Lauren (Newcastle University)

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Esme (University of York)

I’m Esme and I’m a third year student at the University of York.

All cells in the human body are coated in a layer of sugar molecules. These sugars are important indicators of ‘self’ to the immune system so it can identify ‘normal’ cells. However, cancer cells are often covered in these sugar ‘self’ signals, allowing them to hide from the immune system. My work is interested in exploiting this. To do this, I use genetic manipulation to trick cancer cells into coating themselves with the non-human sugar Neu5Gc. This turns cancer’s invisibility cloak into a red flag, allowing them to be targeted by anti-Neu5Gc antibodies and potentially attacked by the immune system.

The thing I enjoy most about my project has been working across both chemistry and biology, learning lots of exciting new skills techniques along the way. This has also been the biggest challenge- the learning curve can be steep at times- but it's very satisfying when it all comes together in the end! The photo shows me presenting my research at a conference. The poster itself is blurred because the work is still in progress and hasn’t been published yet so can’t be shared yet.

My biggest advice is to remember that a PhD is still a learning experience. Don't put off applying to a project because you think you don't have the right skillset at the moment- if you already knew how to do everything, you'd already have a PhD! It's really helpful to contact potential supervisors to set up an informal chat before applying- you can ask what sort of training they'd be providing, as well as getting a sense of whether their lab would be a good fit for you. Don't be afraid to ask questions!

Name (University)

1. Can you briefly summarise your project for a non-specialist audience? What are you finding enjoying/challenging? What do you think the most interesting thing is about your project?

2. Applying to DiMeN is very competitive. What do you think made your application a successful one? For example your skills, education, experience? How much homework did you put into the project before you applied? 3. What advice would you give someone applying to DiMeN or embarking on a biosciences PhD?

Name (University)

The main aims of my research are to elucidate the mechanisms of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) caused by a group of ribosome-targeting antibiotics, and determine the importance of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation on individual susceptibility to DILI following treatment with these drugs. I am using advanced in vitro hepatic models: HepaRG cells to allow for extended dosing periods, and HepG2 transmitochondrial cybrids to enable assessment of mtDNA impact against a constant nuclear DNA background.

Name (University)

I have always been intrigued by the intricacies of the human brain and the origins of complex behaviour. To gain a better understanding of the brain function, I studied MSci in neuroscience at UCL which has further shaped my research interests. In my PhD project, I am integrating genomics, bioinformatics and neuroendocrinology under Dr Vincent Cunliffe’s and Prof Nils Krone’s supervision to investigate how gene-environment interactions, such as stress, influence the developing and adult brain.

Name (University)

I am a 3rd year PhD student at the University of Liverpool. My research interests are ageing within the cardiovascular system. More specifically I am utilising 3D cellular models to understand the physiological changes that occur within the cardiac system as we age. I am also utilising iPSC derived atrial cardiomyocytes to understand the relationship between ageing and the arrhythmia atrial fibrillation.

Name (University)

I am a BSc Psychology and MSc Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience graduate. My research focusses on the sense of touch during balance and gait, using a combination both experimental and computational techniques within biomechanics and neuroscience. I characterise the natural stimuli that the foot experiences and use pressure distributions as input to a computational model of tactile receptors to simulate responses during natural plantar pressure patterns.

Name (University)

My background is in Mathematics with Philosophy (BSc), during which I studied mathematical biology and was inspired to pursue a masters degree in Mathematical Modelling (MSc), earning a Distinction. I have a particular interest in using unconventional tools from mathematics to understand biology, such as abstract symmetry and group theory. This led me to my PhD in a fusion of mathematics and stem cell biology – using both experimental and computational research to advance our understanding of how human embryonic stem cells decide what to become. I am keen to pursue a career that makes the most of my mathematics and programming skills with a view to better understand the natural world.

Name (University)

I am a third year PhD student at The University of Sheffield in collaboration with AstraZeneca. I am interested in host pathogen interactions within the respiratory system with a focus on developing therapeutics.

Name (University)

I am a third year PhD Student in the Cragg’s Lab, Department of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield. My background is in physics, but my project is an interdisciplinary investigation into DNA conformations. I’m using two molecular ruler techniques to measure these conformations under different conditions, specifically focusing on the role of the RNaseH2 complex and the impact this has on DNA structure and function.

Name (University)

I am a PhD student at Newcastle University. My research is in antimicrobial drug discovery targeting DNA replication machinery unique to bacteria. We are using a multidisciplined approach combining biophysical, structural, and biochemical techniques to developed target-specific antibiotic compounds.

Name (University)