Targeting glucagon-like peptides for the treatment of diabetes and obesity

Apply and key information

This project is funded by:

Department for the Economy (DfE)
Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Summary

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) are secreted from the same intestinal cells following meal ingestion. GLP-1 is now widely recognised to reduce blood glucose levels as well as significantly curb appetite. Thus, GLP-1 drugs such as liraglutide and semaglutide are clinically approved for the treatment of both type 2 diabetes and obesity. Despite this, there are compliance issues with GLP-1 drugs due to their adverse effect profile, that relates to sometimes severe gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and vomiting. We believe that GLP-2 may be able to both enhance the effectiveness of current GLP-1 drugs for obesity and diabetes, as well as limit the adverse effect profile. Ultimately, this could help make GLP-1 drugs more effective and more patient friendly. As part of this project, we also hope to design and assess drugs that can encapsulate GLP-1 and GLP-2 receptor activation within the same compound.

Therefore, we will address the following research questions:

1)What impact do GLP-1 and GLP-2 have on pancreatic islet cells? We will investigate the effects of GLP-1 and GLP-2, as well as longer-acting versions of these peptides, on secretory function and overall health of pancreatic islet cells in the laboratory setting.

2)Can we create functional dual-acting GLP-1/GLP-2 dual-acting peptides? Using knowledge gained from previous studies, we will generate and test a series of dual-acting GLP-1/GLP-2 hybrid peptides. The most promising analogues will be progressed to in vivo studies for examination of effects on satiety and glucose homeostasis.

3)What impact will novel peptides have on long-term diabetes and obesity control? Preclinical therapeutic effectiveness of lead peptides will be studied in models of diabetes and/or obesity, using already approved GLP-1 drugs as our positive control.

Expected Results: We expect GLP-2 to enhance the well-characterised benefits of GLP-1 signalling in obesity and diabetes.

Important Information: Applications for more than one PhD studentship are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Biomedical Sciences, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

First Class Honours (1st) Degree
Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
Work experience relevant to the proposed project
Publications record appropriate to career stage
Experience of presentation of research findings

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

Department for the Economy (DfE)
Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance). A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.

These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.