PhD STUDENTSHIP, DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOLOGY

BIOSCIENCES INSTIUTE

A PhD. studentship is available on a Science Foundation Ireland-funded project examining the structure, function and roles of ryanodine receptor (RyR) Ca²⁺ channels present in trophoblast cells of the placenta.Trophoblasts are epithelial cells that fulfill a variety of specialised functions in the placenta, including vectorial transport of Ca²⁺ from mother to fetus: a process essential for mineralisation of the developing skeleton.Using fluorescent ligand binding assays and fura-2 Ca²⁺ videomicroscopy, we have recently found that trophoblastic cell-lines express functional ryanodine receptor (RyR) channels.RyRs are high conductance Ca²⁺ channels that reside in the endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum and regulate highly specialised processes in other cell types.We aim to analyse the structure, location and roles of RyRs in trophoblasts, in particular examining their participation in transcellular Ca²⁺ transport.These goals will be facilitated by collaborative interactions with several world-renowned research groups.We welcome applications from motivated individuals with an upper grade BSc. in Physiology, Biochemistry, Biology or a related discipline. Experience in one or more of the following techniques is desirable but not essential:mammalian cell-culture; SDS-PAGE/western blotting; fluorescent videomicroscopy; indirect immunofluorescence; measurement of transcellular transport; siRNA knockdown; electrophysiology. 

Further details of the laboratory can be found at: 
http://www.ucc.ie/academic/physio/staff-mackrill.html/    

Student stipend: €20,000 per annum (approx.) plus fees.

Closing date: Friday, 29 June 2007

Please direct CVs, names of at least two referees and informal enquiries to:  

Dr. John Mackrill,
Department of Physiology,
University College Cork,
Ireland.
Tel: +353 (0)21 490 2337Email: j.mackrill@ucc.ie