Structural, functional and molecular changes at the human peripheral retina | PhD Opportunities | Queen's University Belfast
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Structural, functional and molecular changes at the human peripheral retina

School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD

Applications are now CLOSED
Funding
Funded
Reference Number
SMED-2221-1172
Application Deadline
20 December 2022
Start Date
4 January 2023

Overview

The major aim of this study is to explore the relationship between structural, functional and molecular changes at the human peripheral retina using state of the art clinical imaging and functional testing, supplemented by molecule characterisation using cadaveric eyes.

Peripheral retinal abnormalities are well accepted to contribute to disease pathogenesis and ultra-widefield imaging (UWFI) is now a routine clinical imaging modality. It is, however significantly less well understood, how these peripheral retinal changes develop and how they affect vision despite it is gradually becoming clear that these changes can be used as markers for disease progression. This suggests that peripheral retinal changes could become specific and selective markers for testing the effectiveness of treatment. During this PhD program the student will:

1) conduct a detailed evaluation of a newly developed combined LSO-OCT and how the newly acquired multimodal retinal images can improve our understanding of peripheral retinal changes.

2) optimize grading protocols for peripheral retinal changes to enhance our ability to conduct better clinical research as well as clinical trials and will work with experts on AI approaches for retinal image analysis.

3) improve our understanding of how peripheral retinal changes are correlated with retinal function in vivo and molecular changes in vitro, to develop new ways to design clinic studies.

Funding Information

Funded by the Department for the Economy and Optos Plc. For UK domiciled students the value of an award includes the cost of approved tuition fees and maintenance support (Fees £4,500, Stipend £15,609 – 2022 TBC). To be considered eligible you must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the full 3 year period prior to the start of the studentship and you must be ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland on the first day of the start of the studentship. For further information about eligibility criteria please refer to the DfE Postgraduate Studentship Terms and Conditions 2021-22 at https://go.qub.ac.uk/dfeterms

Stipend: As this project is in partnership with Optos Plc the successful candidate will receive an additional £2000 per annum on top of the confirmed DfE stipend for 2022/23.

Please note that this project will be subject to finalisation of funding agreement with external partner.

Funding eligibility: ROI (and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status) may be eligible for funding. Please review the DfE T&C’s.

Project Summary
Supervisor

Dr Imre Lengyel

More Information

askmhls@qub.ac.uk

Research Profile


Mode of Study

Full-time: 3 Years


Funding Body
DfE and Optos Plc
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