PhD position in Fruit bioactivity and bioefficacy

Highlights:

1. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown an association between the consumption of fruit and vegetables and a reduced risk of human diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Accordingly, there has been a focus on identifying components of fruit and vegetables responsible for the beneficial effects against a host of degenerative diseases.
2.  Soft fruit species have been a specific focus due to their diverse polyphenol contents and composition. However, this work has generally been piecemeal and the transfer between in vitro to in vivo health studies often utilizing variable germplasm negating cross-comparability between the scales of efficacy. As part of the EU project, ClimaFruit, which aims to look at the impact of climate change scenarios on soft fruit production and quality, including putative health beneficial components, the student will employ intervention through to cellular model studies to establish soft fruit polyphenol human health efficacy and establish their metabolic fate and mechanisms of action. In conjunction with the two project post doctoral researchers the student will phytochemically characterize the project target fruit (raspberry, blackcurrant and blackberry) and determine the impact of (in vitro) digestion on phytochemical diversity and bioavailability. Once established both pre and post digestion components will be assayed for bioefficacy and bioavailability in a host of model systems. For examples anti-cancer and metabolic studies will utilise the combined CaCo2 and HepG2 model to study establish bioavailability, apoptosis, impacts on proliferation and cellular biotransformations of the polyphenols.
3. Furthermore the impact upon cardiovascular disease and diabetes models will employ a raft of cell model, bead arrays and ELISA systems.
4. The studentship is fully funded for 3 years as part of the EU Interreg IVB project ClimaFruit – Future proofing the North Sea Berry Industry.
5. Candidates are urged strongly to apply as soon as possible so as to stand the best chance of success. A more detailed plan of the studentship is available to suitable candidates upon application.
6. Funding through this scheme is available only for European applications, but Worldwide applicants who possess suitable self-funding are also invited to apply. Candidates should contact Laura Logie (Laura.Logie@scri.ac.uk) for further details and an application form.