Role of non-canonical autophagy in liver lipid metabolism in response to unhealthy diets

cellular mechanisms of intracellular cargo degradation like LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP), remains poorly studied in this context.

This project aims to define the mechanisms mediating the lipid update and metabolism in the liver in response to high fat diets. This will enable the PhD student to identify targets to preserve liver metabolic health and prevent disease progression associated to poor dietary habits, which will be investigated in this project.

This collaborative project provides the unique opportunity for the successful candidate to receive broad training on preclinical in vivo models and in vitro work as well as cellular and molecular biology and immunology methodologies including confocal microscopy and spectral flow cytometry.

The project will be supervised by two molecular biologists (Beraza and Rushworth) whose work have a strong translational aim. This collaborative project will enable the student to work in different labs at different institutions (Quadram institute and University of East Anglia) and to present their results to wide-ranging audiences in conferences and meetings. The multidisciplinary nature of this project will contribute to build a broad network and will provide the student valuable transferable skills essential for the progression of her/his scientific career.

This project will be carried out at the Quadram institute, which combines research laboratories with clinical facilities, located at the core of the Norwich Research Park.

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2027 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) during their study. The placement offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team.

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th February 2027.

Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: Projects | Doctoral Training Partnership

Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background.

To maximise accessibility and attract students from underrepresented groups to our programme we have introduced bespoke templates for applicant Personal and Research statements which will enable every applicant to fully represent themselves through providing suitable examples and evidence. These forms are on the NRPDTP website and must be used for these sections of the application form.

Entry requirements

At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category).

Mode of study

Full-time

Start date

1 October 2027

Funding Notes

This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2026/27 stipend rate: £21,805, and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.

References

Seaman S, Ruiz P, Nirello VD, Martin-Castilla L, Elizalde-Garcia P, Vega-Zuza A, Vegas-Petrina L, Lumbreras-Perales C, Philo M, Moreno-Gonzalez M, Varga-Weisz P, Beraza N.
Intestinal Sirtuin 1 controls liver regeneration via regulating the intestinal FXR/FGF15 axis in mice.
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Wojtowicz EE, Hampton K, Moreno-Gonzalez M, Utting CL, Lan Y, Ruiz P, Beasy G, Bone C, Hellmich C, Maynard R, Acton L, Markham M, Troeberg L, Telatin A, Kingsley RA, Macaulay IC, Rushworth SA*, Beraza N*.
Low protein diet protects the liver from Salmonella Typhimurium-mediated injury by modulating the mTOR/autophagy axis in macrophages.
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*co-Corresponding author

Moreno-Gonzalez M, Hampton K, Ruiz P, Beasy G, Nagies FS, Parker A, Lazenby J, Bone C, Alava-Arteaga A, Patel M, Hellmich C, Luri-Martin P, Silan E, Philo M, Baker D, Rushbrook SM, Hildebrand F, Rushworth SA*, Beraza N*.
Regulation of intestinal senescence during cholestatic liver disease modulates barrier function and liver disease progression.
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*co-Corresponding author

Moore JA, Mistry JJ, Hellmich C, Horton RH, Wojtowicz EE, Jibril A, Jefferson M, Wileman T, Beraza N*, Bowles KM*, Rushworth SA*. J Clin Invest. 2022 Jan 6:e153157. doi: 10.1172/JCI153157. PMID: 34990402
LC3-associated phagocytosis in bone marrow macrophages suppresses acute myeloid leukemia progression through STING activation.
Journal of Clinical Investigation 2022 Jan 6:e153157. doi: 10.1172/JCI153157. Online ahead of print. PMID: 34990402
*co-Corresponding author

Rai S, Arasteh M, Jefferson M, Pearson T, Wang Y, Zhang W, Bicsak B, Divekar D, Powell PP, Nauman R, Beraza N, Carding SR, Florey O, Mayer U, Wileman T
The ATG5-binding and coiled coil domains of ATG16L1 maintain autophagy and tissue homeostasis in mice independently of the WD domain required for LC3-associated phagocytosis.
Autophagy. 2019 Apr;15(4):599-612. doi: 10.1080/15548627.2018.1534507. Epub 2018 Nov 7.