Detecting retinal ganglion cell changes in diabetes using novel tests of visual function

Summary

Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder resulting from a deficiency of insulin, disturbed pancreatic cell function or insulin resistance. A common sight-threatening complication of hyperglycaemia in uncontrolled diabetes is retinopathy. Here, the blood vessels of the retina become damaged, leading to retinal haemorrhages in early (background) retinopathy, with scar tissue and new blood vessels presenting in more advanced disease (proliferative retinopathy).  In the UK, diabetic patients undergo retinal screening at least annually to detect retinopathy and this is achieved through retinal examination and the measurement of visual acuity.  While diabetic retinopathy is typically associated with vascular damage, recent work has shown that the density of retinal ganglion cells is also reduced in diabetes prior to the development of clinically detectable retinopathy (e.g., in fundus photographs). Furthermore, it has been suggested that these changes serve as a risk factor for progression of diabetic retinopathy. At present RGC loss in diabetic patients is difficult to detect, likely owing to current, commercially available, clinical vision tests not being designed to detect the subtle functional changes associated with early RGC loss/dysfunction in diabetes. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop a fit-for-purpose vision test for clinics, capable of detecting RGC loss/dysfunction in diabetes, such that clinically significant vascular alterations in diabetes in the eye may be predicted and managed at the earliest possible opportunity.

In this PhD, a clinical strategy to more robustly detect alterations in visual function associated with RGC loss and/or dysfunction in early diabetes will be developed. This will build upon previous work in our group and will involve

(1) an examination of basic spatial and temporal visual functions in diabetes,

(2) the optimisation of a visual field test strategy to detect diabetic RGC loss, and

(3) the application of this novel vision test in a longitudinal study of structural and functional changes in diabetic and pre-diabetic patients.

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.

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the 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.

*Part time PhD scholarships may be available, based on 0.5 of the full time rate, and will require a six year registration period (individual project advertisements will note where part time options apply).

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.