Host: Universitaetsklinikum Wuerzburg, Germany
Supervisory team: David Stegner (University of Würzburg, Germany), Steve Thomas and Steve Watson (University of Birmingham, UK)
Project locations: University of Würzburg (Year 1 and 2)); University of Maastricht (2 months); University of Birmingham (Year 2 and 3)
Joint PhD Degree: University of Würzburg and University of Birmingham
Project details: TAPAS is highly intersectoral and multi-disciplinary programme of work, which will tackle the problem of inflammation-driven thrombosis and bleeding, which can lead to heart attack and stroke and contributes to an estimated 40% of cardiovascular deaths in the EU, and over €200 billion a year to the EU economy. Current therapy in the prevention of thrombotic events includes drugs that suppress the function of blood platelets. Whilst suppressing platelet function is effective in a large proportion of patients, it is not perfect and some patients experience further thrombotic episodes, bleeding problems or even death. Recently, it has become recognised that inflammation is a key driver of thrombosis (so-called thrombo-inflammation) and that inflammation can also lead to bleeding. This project seeks to understand the interplay between inflammatory cells and blood platelets using innovative microscopy techniques. The research will combine innovative approaches and develop new expertise to identify, understand and test new targets on blood platelets for the selective prevention and treatment of thrombotic diseases.
Desirable student skills: : A masters degree in Immunology/Biochemistry/Biophysics or related subject with strong interest in microscopy, who is willing to work with animal models.
Back to project list