Category Archives: Musculoskeletal news

Join hands to make the voice of rare diseases heard (Rare Disease Day 2016)!

Genetics Matters, Musculoskeletal news

RDD-1024x365A show of hands from the Institute of Genetic Medicine today, to raise awareness of the international Rare Disease Day and the importance of rare disease research.

The image was shared via Twitter and email with the larger community today.

CcZbfa-WwAAGiOt.jpg large1 in 17 people in the EU is affected by a rare condition. That’s 3.5 million people in the UK alone! Although individually rare, together the rare conditions affect more people than cancer and AIDS combined.

Let’s all unite to make the rare disease voice heard!

Genetics Matters event a success!

Genetics Matters, Musculoskeletal news

On the 27th of February 2016 the IGM held their popular “Genetics Matters” event at the International Centre for Life, as part of the international Rare Disease Day. The day was a huge success and included presentations form the leading Newcastle University scientists and patient organisations as well as meet the scientist tables, giving the participants a chance to chat about rare diseases and hear about the exciting state of the art research at Newcastle University.

We would like to thank all the participants, presenters and patient group representatives for making this event so informative and enjoyable. Together we will make the voice of rare diseases heard!

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For more information and photos from the event please visit: https://blogs.ncl.ac.uk/igmengagement/27th-february-2016-genetics-matters/

27th February 2016 – Genetics Matters!

Events, Genetics Matters, Musculoskeletal news

We are pleased to announce we’ll be hosting our popular Genetics Matters event again on the 27th of February 2016 as part of the International Rare Disease Day. Come meet the scientists, touch real specimens, chat about rare diseases and hear about the exciting state of the art research at Newcastle University.

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“Genetics Matters” annual event serves to showcase genetic research and to give the patient and charity organisations a voice and a platform to interact with the members of general public. The theme of the Rare Disease Day in 2016 is “Patient Voice”, recognising the crucial role that patients play in research by voicing their needs and instigating change.

We would like patients or members of patient families to be present on the day and actively participate, sharing the presenting with our scientists. We believe that the patients’ voice is important in directing the course of scientific research and that it is important to remember that behind the tubes and microscope slides there is also a human story, and that we are all working towards a common goal.

This event is FREE to attend, but we have limited places available, so if you would like to attend, please book your place here:

http://forms.ncl.ac.uk/view.php?id=9395

PhD studentship available

Musculoskeletal news

The Peter May Arthritis MRes/PhD studentship – Biomechanical sensing in cartilage ageing and disease

 

Value of award: The funding covers one year MRes followed by a three year PhD. The full award covers tuition fees at the UK/EU rate and an annual stipend of £13,986 (2015-2016). Funding is restricted to Home/EU fees only.

Start date: September 2015 – the funding covers a 4 year PhD

Application closing date: 31/05/15

Supervisor(s): Dr Katarzyna Piróg, Prof David Young

Overview

Osteoarthritis (OA) results from a micro-damage to cartilage and propagates via the subsequent repair/damage events. The remodelling capabilities of tissue decrease with age, leading to increased OA susceptibility following injury related trauma. Interestingly, investigation of biomechanical responsiveness of chondrocytes themselves is a relatively recent topic and the reaction of cells to the abnormal extracellular matrices remains largely unknown. This PhD project will aim to establish a biomechanically relevant 3D in vitro model of young and aged cartilage and test the reaction of cells to different extracellular environments. The resulting in vitro system will generate new knowledge about the mechanosensitivity of the chondrocyte and provide a platform for further studies of potential therapeutic interventions for cartilage disorders in a relevant in vitro setting.

The successful applicant will benefit from a supervisory team that brings together expertise in cartilage biology, functional genetics and applied bioinformatics.  Both supervisors are PIs in the pan-European EU-FP7 SYBIL research consortium bringing together the expertise of 18 cartilage and bone biology research centres. The group also enjoys a collaborative link with the CIMA (Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing) project and the Musculoskeletal Research Group (MRG) at Newcastle University. The PhD student will receive extensive training in histology, cell culture, “omics” technologies, biomechanics, biochemical assays, statistical analysis and project management, thus obtaining a desirable and transferable skillset.

One PhD studentship is available in the Newcastle group of Dr Katarzyna Pirog, with Prof David Young as co-supervisor. Students with an interest in ageing, cartilage biology, animal models of disease, biochemistry, and transcriptomics are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Criteria:  You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree in genetics, biochemistry, biosciences or a related area. The award is available to UK/EU applicants only. If English is not your first language, you must have IELTS 7, or equivalent.

How to apply: You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system by creating an account. To do this please select ‘How to Apply’ and choose the ‘Apply now’ button.

You should also send your covering letter and CV to Dr Katarzyna Pirog by email to katarzyna.pirog@ncl.ac.uk

Contact: Dr Katarzyna (Kasia) Piróg, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University.

Email: katarzyna.pirog@ncl.ac.uk