This fully funded, 4-year PhD project is part of a competition funded by the BBSRC EASTBIO Doctoral Training Partnership.
DNA damage is a principal cause of ageing. This damage is catastrophic even for post-mitotic cells and is a significant contributor to decline in the ageing brain, as well as neurodegenerative disease. A major driver of such DNA damage is oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Retinoic acid receptors (RARs) are nuclear receptors regulating transcription but also driving multiple neuroprotective “non-genomic” routes. Among such protective actions are those that relieve oxidative stress. This may significantly reduce the DNA damage in both ageing and neurodegeneration, but is quite unexplored. The project objective is to test novel agonists of the RARs for their capacity to inhibit DNA damage in in-vitro and in-vivo models of oxidative stress. The controversial idea that the skin drives ageing in the brain will also be examined. As proposed by Cavadas and others the ageing skin produces secretory factors that may “spread” ageing through the body including the brain. The RAR agonists have major beneficial actions on the skin and so may have profound anti-ageing effects on the body.
This project is collaborative between world leaders in design of novel ligands for the retinoic acid receptors, based at Nevrargenics Ltd and Durham University, and in the neurobiology of retinoic acid function, and DNA repair in Aberdeen. In the Department of Chemistry at Durham University the student will work for up to 18 months with Professor Whiting on the shape, molecular properties and receptor affinities of newly designed RAR ligands employing novel mathematical modelling tools in design. This will be correlated in Aberdeen, with Professor McCaffery determining their bioactivity in neuronal and glial cells, the protection they provide under oxidative stress, generation of ROS and changes in production of SASP. The effects on DNA damage and repair pathways will be determined with Dr. Alexander Lorenz using state-of-the-art molecular biology and microscopy techniques. The biological results will feedback to further refine and optimise chemical design of the ligands and their targets. Thus, the project is highly interdisciplinary, and the student will be taught a wide variety of techniques including a variety of bioassays for retinoid activity including transcriptional activity and non-genomic signalling, as well as a variety of immunoassays, such as western blotting and immunocytochemistry of DNA damage and DNA repair markers. The function of the RARs will be studied in-depth by methods including siRNA and CRISPR/Cas9 knockdown as well as transgenic animal models.
Interested applicants should contact the lead supervisor to discuss the project prior to applying. You can do this by selecting the first listed name at the top of this advert and sending your enquiry. Alternatively, you can search for the supervisor through the University of Aberdeen staff directory and email them directly.
---------------------------------
Applicants should hold a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject. Those with a 2:2 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) may be considered, provided they have (or are expected to achieve) a Distinction or Commendation at master’s level.
We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to having a diverse, inclusive team.
All students must meet the eligibility criteria as outlined in the UKRI guidance on funding for postgraduate training and development. This guidance should be read in conjunction with the Terms and conditions for training funding – UKRI.
---------------------------------
For full details and to download the application form, visit: https://biology.ed.ac.uk/eastbio/how-to-apply
Please note that you may only apply for one EASTBIO project.
Submit your complete application by 23:59 GMT on 15th December 2025 to smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk.
Send your application as a single email with the subject line:
“EASTBIO Application – [Your Name]”
Your application email must include the following:
All references must be provided using the official EASTBIO reference form (available here).
References can be either:
All references must be received by 23:59 GMT on 15th December 2025.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure both references are submitted by the deadline, as we cannot request them on your behalf.
For any questions or assistance with the application process, please contact smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk.