Are plant-based flavonoid metabolites the key to better cognitive health?

Summary

Globally, populations are ageing, and concomitant with this is an increase in the healthcare burden of cognitive dysfunction and dementia including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The lack of effective treatments to reverse or ameliorate cognitive dysfunction necessitates development of strategies for healthy, cognitive ageing including the identification of the biological mechanisms by which dietary interventions may slow/prevent cognitive decline. The Mediterranean diet, rich in polyphenols, may prevent or delay the onset of cognitive dysfunction in older populations, preserving healthy brain structure and function and lowering risk of AD. These effects, mediated in part by gut microbiome derived polyphenol metabolites, highlight the role alterations in the brain-gut microbiome system play in neurodegeneration.

Moreover, high levels of circulating phenyl-γ-valerolactones, neuroprotective compounds, exclusively produced by gut microbiota from flavan-3-ol rich foods (cocoa, tea, berries) are associated with delaying the onset of cognitive dysfunction in older adults. Intake of such polyphenols can also change gut microbial composition and function, altering the physiology of the host’s secondary bile acid pool, affecting regulatory and signaling functions in the brain and cognitive decline and AD.

This PhD is part of the ‘Microbiota mediated flavonoid metabolites for cognitive health (MAEVE)’ study: an interdisciplinary and multi-centre study funded through the Tripartite US-Ireland Research & Development Partnership Program (NIH, SFI, HSC). The MAEVE study will conduct a year-long polyphenol based, multi-center randomised double blind placebo-controlled study in adult participants in the US and Northern Ireland who are at enhanced risk of developing AD. This PhD project will focus on the NI aspect of the multi-centre trial and allow the researcher to gain a breadth of experience and opportunities for training and development during this multi-omics focused project.

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:

• US-Ireland
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)
• Department for the Economy (DfE)

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.