Time to be born: the role of thyroid hormones in the development of the
hypothalamic-pituitary axis before birth
3-year PhD Studentship
Nigel Groome PhD Studentship at Oxford Brookes University
Starting September 2020
Thyroid hormones and cortisol are important hormonal regulators of fetal
growth and development. Thyroid hormone deficiency before birth delays
maturation of fetal organs and prolongs gestation, possibly via effects
on the fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The aim of this
PhD studentship is to investigate the mechanisms by which hypothyroidism
in utero influences the activity of the fetal HPA axis. In
collaboration with colleagues at the Universities of Oxford and
Cambridge, the project will use immunohistochemistry to assess neuronal
networks and pituitary cell populations, and tissue culture to examine
the secretory capacity of the fetal pituitary in vitro.
For further information contact Dr Alison Forhead:
Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in
the UK/EU. Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours
degree in physiology or related discipline.
Closing date: 31 December 2019
Further details:
https://www.brookes.ac.uk/bms/research/degrees/research-opportunities/