Skeletal muscle wasting contributes to a diminished muscle function, exercise capacity, health status and survival in a number of conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Currently, effective therapeutic interventions that would prevent or reverse muscle atrophy have yet to be developed.
Factors implicated as potential triggers of muscle wasting include disuse, hypoxemia, malnutrition, inflammation, and glucocorticoids (GCs). Literature and preliminary data imply muscle GC signaling as a critical and potentially common process in COPD-associated muscle atrophy.
Using cultured skeletal muscle approaches combined with mouse models of COPD-associated muscle wasting, we will investigate the role of the pre-receptor glucocorticoid activating enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (11beta-HSD1) in muscle wasting, in order to evaluate its therapeutic potential to prevent or reverse muscle atrophy.

Glucocorticoid metabolism and specifically 11beta-HSD1 actions in physiology and pathology are a key research theme within the Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR) at the University of Birmingham. Uncovering the molecular basis of lung disease-associated muscle wasting is a main line of research at the Department of Respiratory Medicine, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM) at Maastricht University, Netherlands.
The research performed by the candidate will therefore be conducted at both sites, allowing optimal synergy of this collaborative project, and offering the candidate a unique possibility to be trained in the complementary techniques and methodology both institutes have to offer.

Applicants should have a strong background in biology, molecular biology, cell biology or medical sciences and hold a Masters degree in the area outlined within this application.
It will be preferable but not essential to have a commitment to immunology or endocrinology research, and to have completed the FELASA C course.

Fixed-term contract: 3 years.

The candidate will have a fulltime appointment at Birmingham University in a joint research project with NUTRIM / Maastricht University.

The Terms of Employment of the University of Birmingham are applicable. The candidate will alternately perform research at the University of Birmingham and at Maastricht University. The 1st year stipend is £14,292.00.

Institute of Clinical Sciences and Institute of Metabolism & Systems Research, Birmingham University

http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/metabolism-systems/index.aspx

NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism

NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism initiates and catalyzes translational research into nutritional health benefits and risks focusing on metabolic and chronic inflammatory diseases. Through its research master and PhD programme NUTRIM aims to educate scientists of high academic excellence and ambassadors to support and develop the filed of nutrition, metabolism and toxicology within and outside the Netherlands. 16 Biomedical, clinical, and behavioural-science departments are incorporated within NUTRIM. The school is a partner in the national Top Institutes TI Food&Nutrition, TI-Pharma and the Centre for Translational Molecular Medicine (CTMM). These unique consortia of government, industry and research aim to stimulate the transfer of knowledge generated in fundamental research to Dutch industry and thus to strengthen its innovative power and competitive strength.

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/nutrim