Gastroenterology PhD

University of Liverpool

Research on our Gastroenterology programme offers the opportunity to make significant advances in our understanding and treatment approaches to gastrointestinal disease. You’ll use cellular and/or computational approaches to explore molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies that have the potential to impact upon clinical decisions and patient outcomes.IntroductionThe Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology (ISMIB) was established to integrate cutting-edge basic research with clinical research from across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. Programmes of work across ISMIB are varied and are led by world experts in their field.Research in gastroenterology provides excellent opportunities for laboratory and clinical research focusing on the physiology of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and pathogenesis of GI diseases.Laboratory research is based mainly on the University campus in the Henry Wellcome Laboratory of Molecular & Cellular Gastroenterology and is led by academics with basic science and clinical backgrounds. We also conduct clinical research and trials at the NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool. Research involves a whole range of experimental techniques, from mechanistic studies involving cell-lines and organoid cultures through to patient-patient sample studies and clinical trials.Research topicsOur research areas specifically focus on:Gastrointestinal (GI) cancersMolecular pathogenesisRegulation of apoptosis in the GI tractThe gastrin family of peptidesEpithelial glycobiologyGalectins in cancer progression and metastasis, development of targeted therapeutic drugs and biomarkersDrug-induced gastrointestinal toxicityGastric and intestinal pathophysiologyBasic and complex 3D ‘mini-gut’ organoid models of human GI disease and drug-induced toxicityInflammatory bowel disease (IBD)Role of immune cellsBacterial factorsThe development and assessment of novel therapiesVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) in GI diseaseGut microbiota, enteric infection and bacteraemia.