MSc (Res) opportunities
The Master of Science by research degree is a 12-month, research only degree, in which the candidate will undertake a supervised research project in the School of Medicine, University of St Andrews. The candidate will be based in the Medical and Biological Sciences Building, based at the North Haugh Science Campus, St Andrews.
MSc(Res) are generally self-funded but selected students may be eligible for bursary support.
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The cellular medicine division combines basic and clinical research with the goal of understanding the cellular and molecular basis of disease. Our interdisciplinary research uses cutting edge technology to address fundamental biomedical processes involved in health and disease. Current strengths within the cellular medicine division include both cell biological and physiological themes to reveal mechanisms of disease. Crucial to this is the use of multiple approaches including human genetics, digital pathology, cellular biology and biophysics. The cellular medicine division has strong links both within the University via the interdisciplinary research hub, BSRC and with NHS Fife, NHS Lothian and the wider health service nationally. This provides a unique partnership between basic and clinical research, aimed at understanding the cellular basis of health and disease.
Candidates may approach potential supervisors in the division directly or via advertised projects listed below.
Project title
Telomere-length estimation for Cancer from new technologies
Supervisor(s)
Project description
Telomeres are regions at each end of a chromosome that insulate the chromosome from the shortening associated with cell replication, and through this role, their length provides a limit on the replicative potential of a cell. The DNA component of telomeres is highly repetitive, and in concert with the large number of telomeres per cell, this provides a challenge for short-read DNA sequencing technologies.
Since overcoming limits of replication is a key step for cancer development, there is a great deal of interest in studying telomere dynamics in cancer. Despite the inherent difficulties, the abundance of cancer DNA sequencing data available for study has led to a number of approaches to the problem of estimating telomere lengths from short-read sequencing. While these are noisy and are only providing an estimate of average telomere length in a sample, they have shown some success in elucidating aspects of cancer biology.
A new generation of technologies (e.g. PacBio, Oxford Nanopore, 10x sequencing, Illumina synthetic long read) promise longer reads that may help to resolve the issues we currently face. This project will seek to establish the potential of these technologies in this regard.
Relevant references
Mitchell et al. (2018) Timing the Landmark Events in the Evolution of Clear Cell Renal Cell Cancer: TRACERx Renal Cell 173 611-623
Farmery et al. (2018) Telomerecat: A Ploidy-Agnostic Method For Estimating Telomere Length From Whole Genome Sequencing Data Scientific Reports 8, 1300
Feuerbach et al. (2019) TelomereHunter - in silico estimation of telomere content and composition from cancer genomes. BMC Bioinformatics 20, 272
Subject area(s) and keywords
Cancer Research, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Statistics, Telomere, DNA sequencing, Cancer
Project title
Plasma non-esterified fatty acids and fibrin clot formation in metabolic disease states – a relationship forged in zinc?
Supervisor(s)
Project description
Zn2+ is an essential regulator of coagulation and its availability in plasma is fine-tuned through buffering by human serum albumin (HSA). Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) transported by HSA reduce its ability to bind/buffer Zn2+. It is thought that this occurs through binding to HSA at a particular NEFA site called FA2. This dynamic is important as plasma NEFA levels are elevated in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity and other disorders that associate with an increased risk of developing thrombotic complications. Through our previous work we found that only certain plasma NEFAs are elevated in T2DM/obese subjects (compared to leaner controls without diabetes) and their levels correlate with fibrin clot parameters. Here we will identify the role of the FA2 site in mediating Zn2+-mishandling by HSA and will assess the degree to which individual NEFAs enhance Zn2+-dependent effects on fibrin clot formation and lysis.
Relevant references
1. Sobczak A.I.S., Katundu K.G., Phoenix F., Khazaipoul S., Yu R., Lampiao F., Stefanowicz F., Blindauer C.A., Pitt S.J., Smith T.K., Ajjan, R.A., Stewart A.J. (2019) Plasma non-esterified fatty acids contribute to increased coagulability in type-2 diabetes through altered plasma zinc speciation. bioRxiv 744482.
2. Handing K.B., Shabalin I.G., Kassaar O., Khazaipoul S., Blindauer C.A., Stewart A.J., Chruszcz M., Minor W. (2016) Circulatory zinc transport is controlled by distinct interdomain sites on mammalian albumins. Chemical Science 7: 6635-6648.
3. Kassaar O., Schwarz-Linek U., Blindauer C.A., Stewart A.J. (2015) Plasma free fatty acid levels influence Zn2+-dependent histidine-rich glycoprotein-heparin interactions via an allosteric switch on serum albumin. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis 13: 101-110.
Subject area(s) and keywords
Biochemistry. Coagulation; Fatty acids; Plasma proteins; Thrombosis; Zinc
Project title
The role of DNA methylation in pacing the ovarian cycle
Supervisor(s)
Project description
Problem / Background: Ovulation disorders are a leading cause of female infertility (1). A woman’s fertility depends on effectively timing ovulation within a highly-regulated menstrual/ovarian cycle. A fundamental feature of the ovarian cycle is the synchronization of daily rhythms driven by a region of the brain called the hypothalamus, in coordination with hormone feedback from the ovaries. However, it is not well understood how these hormones regulate daily rhythms in the hypothalamus. A better understanding of the mechanisms of hormone-driven changes in daily hypothalamic function would improve our knowledge on how one can time IVF / fertility drugs to increase the chances of pregnancy. It is now becoming clear that modifications to DNA (epigenetics) are reversible and exhibit highly dynamic patterns in the brain. Our recent work has revealed that ovarian hormones (e.g. estrogen) can induce large, rhythmic epigenetic changes in the hypothalamus to regulate ovarian function and fertility. However, the specific cells and genetic programs that are targeted for regulation remain poorly understood.
Aims / Approach: This project aims to bridge a fundamental gap in our knowledge to link epigenetic modifications, daily timing and the hormone control of female fertility. We will focus on two enzymes that are active in the adult brain, called DNA methyl transferases Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b, which appear to silence genes by adding small chemicals called methyl groups to the DNA. First, we will use cutting-edge gene-editing technologies to disrupt these enzymes in the brains of mice. Then, we will measure how this impacts hormone levels, the ovarian cycle and fertility. Finally, we will purify and analyse brain cells to identify where DNA methylation has been altered and determine how this relates to gene expression.
Value to human health: The data generated from this project will revolutionise our understanding of molecular-driven genome modifications involved in the control of reproduction and female fertility.
Relevant references
Stevenson TJ. 2018 Epigenetic regulation of biological rhythms: an evolutionary ancient molecular timer. Trends in Genetics, 43:90-100
Subject area(s) and keywords
Reproductive Medicine, Neuroscience, DNA methylation, Epigenetics, Neuroendocrine, Reproduction
Project title
Genetics and of neurodevelopmental disorders
Supervisor(s)
Project description
This project will study the genetic component underlying common neurodevelopmental disorders. You will be involved in large-scale, international efforts conducting analysis of genetic data from cohorts of children with dyslexia and language difficulties. Available datasets also include large epidemiological cohorts. In addition to genetic analysis, particular focus will be given to the behavioural component of the data. Depending on your aptitude, it will also be possible to choose one aspect of the project versus the other (e.g. behaviour or genetic analysis only). Most of analysis will be conducted in R. Training will be provided for all parts of the project, but an interest in developing data science skills is essential.
Relevant references
Alessandro Gialluisi et al (2019) Genome-wide association scan identifies new variants associated with a cognitive predictor of dyslexia. Translational psychiatry, 9: 77.
Scerri TS, Macpherson E, Martinelli A, Wa WC, Monaco AP, Stein J, Zheng M, Suk-Han Ho C, McBride C, Snowling M, Hulme C, Hayiou-Thomas ME, Waye MMY, Talcott JB, and Paracchini S. (2017) The DCDC2 deletion is not a risk factor for dyslexia Translational Psychiatry 7(7): e1182.
Pettigrew KA, Reeves E, Leavett R, Hayiou-Thomas E, Sharma A, Simpson NH, Thompson P, Snowling M, Newbury DF, Paracchini S. (2015) A de novo deletion at chromosome 15q13.1-13.3 in a child with reading and language impairment. PLoS One 10 (8), e0134997
Gialluisi A, Newbury DF, Wilcutt EG, Olson RK, DeFries JC, Brandler WM, Pennington BF, Smith SD, Scerri TS, Simpson NH; The SLI Consortium, Luciano M, Evans DM, Bates TC, Stein JF, Talcott JB, Monaco AP, Paracchini S, Francks C, Fisher SE. (2014) Genome‐wide screening for DNA variants associated with reading and language traits Genes Brain Behavior 13 (7), 686-701
Subject area(s) and keywords
Human genetics, Neuroscience, GWAS, dyslexia, language disorders, genomics
Project title
New mechanisms of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium leak in cardiac pathology
Supervisor(s)
Project description
In the UK, heart failure is a growing epidemic. The prognosis of heart failure is now worse than most cancers. Heart failure is a chronic multi-factorial disease characterised by damaging changes to calcium ion (Ca2+) homeostasis. Increased RyR2-mediated diastolic sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release is linked with heart failure and arrhythmias. Importantly there is a RyR2 independent SR leak pathway which plays a significant role in pathology, the identity of which is unknown. We have recently identified a SR located ion-channel that displays Ca2+-handling properties, challenging the idea that RyR2 is the only ion-channel responsible for SR Ca2+-release. The major hypothesis underlying this study is that this newly identified protein functions as a SR Ca2+ leak channel involved in pathogenic mechanisms which contribute to cardiac dysfunction.
The aim of this study is to identify this new Ca2+ permeable channel as an integral part of the pathogenic mechanism of the failing heart. Inhibition of diastolic Ca2+-leak through SR Ca2+-release channels is an emerging and promising therapeutic target for cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure. The outputs of this work will challenge our understanding of cardiac intracellular Ca2+-dynamics and highlight a potential new drug target in the treatment of cardiac dysfunction. This work will combine live-cell imaging, electrophysiology and molecular biology to probe underexplored but potentially ground-breaking research themes to inform the development of condition-specific cardioprotective interventions to diminish the detrimental effects of arrhythmias and heart failure.
Relevant references
1. Reilly O'Donnell, B., Robertson, G., Karumbi, A., McIntyre, C., Bal, W., Nishi, M., Takeshima, H., Stewart, A. J. & Pitt, S. J. (2017). Dysregulated Zn2+ homeostasis impairs cardiac type-2 ryanodine receptor and mitsugumin 23 functions, leading to sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ leakage. J Biol Chem. 292:13361-13373
2. Venturi E, Mio K, Nishi M, Ogura T, Moriya T, Pitt SJ, Okuda K, Kakizawa S, Sitsapesan R, Sato C & Takeshima H (2011). Mitsugumin 23 Forms a Massive Bowl-Shaped Assembly and Cation-Conducting Channel. Biochem 50 (13):2623.
3. Schubert M, Woolfson L, Barnard IRM, Morton A, Casement B, Robertson GB, Miles GB, Pitt SJ, Tucker CS, Gather MC. Monitoring contractility in single cardiac cells and whole hearts with bio-integrated microlasers. bioRxiv 605444
Subject area(s) and keywords
Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Ion channel/transporters, Ca2+ homeostasis, arrhythmias, heart failure
Project title
The immunopeptidome of Extracellular Vesicles in cancer
Supervisor(s)
Project description
Extracellular vesicles (EV) are small 50-200 nm membrane bound particles released by many cell types including cancer cells. They frequently express on them HLA class I molecules. This project will isolate EV from cell lines and relevant patient blood samples to identify the peptides presented on the EV HLA class I molecules, to identify tumour associated or tumour specific peptide antigens.
Relevant references
Synowsky, S.A., Shirran, S.L., Cooke2, F.G.M., Antoniou, A.N., Botting, C.H. and Powis, S.J. (2017) The major histocompatibility complex class I immunopeptidome of extracellular vesicles. J. Biol Chem. 292(41):17084-17092. doi:10.1074/jbc.M117.805895.
Subject area(s) and keywords
Immunology, cancer, extracellular vesicles, immunotherapy
Project title
Characterising a novel type I membrane protein in placenta
Supervisor(s)
Project description
We are interested in a novel type I membrane protein which is highly expressed on the cell surface of stromal fibroblasts in solid tumours, but also in placental tissue. Pre-eclampsia is a common disorder that particularly affects first pregnancies. It is just one in a spectrum of complications of pregnancy that share a common patho-physiology centred upon disordered placentation. The lack of spontaneous pre-clinical animal models for these conditions has limited our understanding, but the recent advances in “omics technologies” and the derivation of organoid cultures of the endometrium and placental trophoblast create new opportunities for systematic research. We seek to characterize our novel protein in placenta.
Subject area(s) and keywords
Cell Biology, Pathology, Development
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The infection and global health division focusses on clinical research internationally. We have ongoing projects in the UK through strong links to NHS Fife and the wider health service nationally, across Africa where we are researching new antibiotic treatments.
Candidates may approach potential supervisors in the division directly or via advertised projects listed below.
Project title:
Arclight Project
Supervisor(s):
Project description:
The Ophthalmology and Arclight Project team welcome any potential candidates to engage with our research.
We work in the UK and overseas developing low cost diagnostic and simulation education tools.
Relevant reference:
http://med.st-andrews.ac.uk/arclight/research/
Subject area(s) and keywords: Ophthalmology, Global Health, Early diagnosis, Frugal Technology, Medical Education
Project title
Zoonoses: Pathogen exchange at the human – nonhuman primate interface in remote Sulawesi.
Supervisor(s)
Janet Cox-Singh and Cyrus Daneshvar
Project description
Background
The rural poor, the wildlife they encounter and the potential exchange of pathogens between humans and wildlife is not known in much of the world, including the remote rural communities in Sulawesi.
Our interest in the human/Sulawesi macaque interface was motivated by our work on the emergence of zoonotic malaria from macaque monkeys in Southeast Asia (Singh et al., 2004) coupled with a paucity of information on the vector borne pathogens of the Sulawesi macaques.
Study focus and goals:
The study will be focussed on producing a molecular snap-shot of potential pathogens circulating in each study community, local macaque populations and the local insect vectors of disease.
The goal is to exploit next generation sequencing and to develop a pipeline to extract signatures of pathogen exposure from the human and macaque samples collected.
Analyse matched data from human participant questionnaires to identify behaviours associated with exposure to mosquito vectors that transmit pathogens between macaque monkeys and humans.
Expected primary outcomes:
1) Produce detailed molecular descriptions of the of vector-borne pathogens transmitted at the rural human- macaque interface in Sulawesi.
2) Using molecular tools identify the vector species responsible for pathogen exchange between humans and macaques at each study site.
3) Develop location specific strategies to empower communities to prevent pathogen entry from wildlife and to control exposure to vector-borne pathogens.
Relevant references
Ahmed, A.M., et al., Disease progression in Plasmodium knowlesi malaria is linked to variation in invasion gene family members. PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2014. 8(8): p. e3086.
Cox-Singh, J., Plasmodium knowlesi: experimental model, zoonotic pathogen and golden opportunity? Parasitology, 2018. 145(1): p. 1-5.
Daneshvar, C., et al., Clinical and laboratory features of human Plasmodium knowlesi infection. Clin Infect Dis, 2009. 49(6): p. 852-60.
Pinheiro, M.M., et al., Plasmodium knowlesi genome sequences from clinical isolates reveal extensive genomic dimorphism. PLoS One, 2015. 10(4): p. e0121303.
Singh, B., et al., A large focus of naturally acquired Plasmodium knowlesi infections in human beings. Lancet, 2004. 363(9414): p. 1017-24.
Singh, B. and C. Daneshvar. Human infections and detection of Plasmodium knowlesi. Clin Microbiol Rev, 2013. 26(2): p. 165-84
Subject area(s) and keywords
Vector-borne pathogens, emerging infectious diseases, pathogen identification (molecular methods), risk association. Malaria, metagenomics, pathogen genotyping, risk association analyses.
Project title
Adapting novel technology: can SLIC do ID?
Supervisor(s)
Project description
SLIC (Scattered Light Integrating Collector) is a novel diagnostic developed by the University of St Andrews. It is the most rapid, low-cost and reliable way to determine not only if an infectious pathogen is present in a human sample but what that pathogen is susceptible to. Currently SLIC cannot discriminate between bacterial species. The aim of this work would be to adapt the technology so that we could allow SLIC to have this added ability.
Relevant references
https://optics.org/news/7/11/44
Subject area(s) and keywords
Laser physics, microbiology, AMR, bacterial speciation, SLIC, Laser, Bacteria, Gram negative, Gram positive
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The population and behavioural science division bring together research teams working to understand and improve the health of individual children, adolescents and adults as well as populations.
Candidates may approach potential supervisors in the division directly or via advertised projects listed below.
Project Title
Understanding the intersection of experiences of forced displacement and substance use disorder: a Delphi study
Project Supervisor
Professor Alexander Mario Baldacchino
Project description
More than 84 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide. Forcibly displaced people have often been exposed to or have witnessed significant violence and abuse, experienced homelessness, loss of belongings, separation from family and friends, social and economic hardship, poor nutrition, and lack of healthcare in their countries of origin, during transit and on resettlement or return. These experiences generate significant vulnerabilities which may be felt across the individual’s lifespan and across generations and are similar to and overlap with the antecedents of substance use disorders (SUD). While there is a recognition that SUD is a significant and growing problem among forcibly displaced populations, understanding the epidemiology, immediate and longer-term impacts and policy and best practice approaches remain under-researched areas.
Addressing this knowledge gap however requires an understanding of the complex experiences of forcibly displaced people at different transition points and contexts. The syndemic approach is a multi-level theoretical framework which lends itself to such an understanding. Through the syndemic approach, the social, political, economic, and environmental factors contributing to both SUD and forcible displacement are seen an inextricably linked, necessitating the integration of different methodologies and the incorporation of knowledge from diverse fields. This will be influenced by upstream political, economic, and social determinants (macro and meso-level determinants) that consequently interact with and modify the traumatic mental and physical health experiences of displaced peoples (micro-level), resulting in negative or worsening outcomes.
A theoretically informed scoping review identified four key thematic areas which will form the basis of this examination: (1) trauma and violence, (2) loss and instability, (3) transit and resettlement and (4) acculturation (Hussein et al: 2023).
Objectives
The aim of this MSc project is to closely examine the implications of a syndemic approach to SUD among forcibly displaced people utilising a three level Delphi methodology.
Research questions
- How do we define the four thematic areas identified in the above mentioned scoping review to help develop appropriate interventions?
- How do we translate this knowledge and create practical interventions?
Methodology
A three level Delphi study utilizing a global expert network currently available (International Society of Addiction Medicine-Global Expert Network: ISAM-GEN) by the supervisors Professor Alexander Baldacchino and Dr Joe Tay to identify appropriate datasets and multilevel research methods to support a consensus based framework.
Outcomes
The project will mobilize evidence to support interventions in these four areas of (1) trauma and violence, (2) loss and instability, (3) transit and resettlement and (4) acculturation. It will additionally contribute new understandings of the social dynamics involved in integration processes, considering the conscious positioning and the agency of survivors, as well as developing conceptual tools to bring out the centrality of the subject themselves in discourses on displacement and SUDs.
The proposed project will lead to significant social impact, by providing tools to improve the services offered by international agencies and other stakeholders as well as the integration of displaced people, with a special focus on those presenting to the host country with substance use disorder.
Relevant references
- Christie B. UK immigration system blamed for high level of alcohol problems among refugees BMJ 2020; 371: m4345 doi:10.1136/bmj.m4345.
- Ezard N. Substance use among populations displaced by conflict: a literature review. Disasters 2012; 36: 533–557.
- Ezard N, Manji H, Busse A. Substance Use Disorders in Conflict-Displaced Populations. In: el-Guebaly N, Carrà G, Galanter M, Baldacchino AM, eds. Textbook of Addiction Treatment: International Perspectives. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021: 1463–1475.
- Greene MC, Ventevogel P, Kane JC. Substance use services for refugees. Bull World Health Organ 2019; 97: 246-246A.
- Hussien Elkholy, Joseph Tay Wee Teck, Shalini Arunogiri, Merit Ramses Asaad, Franziska Baessler8,9, Roshan Bhad, Emanuela Nadia Borghi, Anja Busse , Hamed Ekhtiari, Subodh Dave , Marica Ferri, Claire Greene, George Koob, Christos Kouimtsidis, Dzimtry Krupchanka, Christoph Nikendei, Stavroula Pipyrou, Vladimir Poznyak, Nora D. Volkow, Aaron M White, Arash Khojasteh Zonoozi, Nadine Ezard, Marc N. Potenza, Alexander M Baldacchino (20230 Current Addiction Reports.
- Kang C, Tomkow L, Farrington R. Access to primary health care for asylum seekers and refugees: a qualitative study of service user experiences in the UK. British Journal of General Practice. 2019;69(685): e537-e545.
- Kohrt BA, Carruth L. Syndemic effects in complex humanitarian emergencies: A framework for understanding political violence and improving multi-morbidity health outcomes. Soc Sci Med 2020; :113378.
Subject area(s) and keywords
Forcibly displaced people, Substance use disorder, Interventions, Delphi method.
Project Title
Drug use and tattooing: a hermeneutical inquiry into the themes and relationships between substance use disorder and tattooing.
Project Supervisor
Professor Alexander Mario Baldacchino
Project description
There is a vast body of literature on the history and global development of tattooing, some of which contains references to substance use disorder and also a large body of literature on the motivations and rationales of tattooing. There is also an emerging body of literature now emerging around the addictive effects and qualities of tattooing. It is timely that this MSc study explores and establishes the themes and relationships between substance use disorder and tattooing through fusion of the subjective experiences of the participants/actors and the objective historical and ideological perspectives of the researcher resulting in an analysis of shared typical and atypical themes.
Objectives
The MSc aims to investigate and provide interpretation on the themes and relationship between substance use disorder and tattooing.
Research questions
Establish the themes and relationships between substance use disorder and tattooing through fusion of the subjective experiences of the participants/actors and the objective historical and ideological perspectives of the researcher resulting in an analysis of shared typical and atypical themes.
Methodology
Initially a systematic review will be conducted which will inform the recognized themes. This will be followed by a qualitative study conducted within a hermeneutic paradigm. Participants will be selected through all possible social and other media including snowballing techniques. They will participate in formal but unstructured and non-directive interviews and photos will also be taken of their tattoos (subject to consent).
Outcomes
The end point of this study will be the themes emerging because of the revie and qualitative work conducted.
Relevant references
- Borokhov, A; Bastiaans,R; Lerner,V (2006). Tattoo Designs Among Drug Abusers. Isr J Psychiatry Relat Sci Vol 43 No. 1 (2006) 28–33.
- Laux, P; Tewes,T; Tentschert,J; Annegret Blume,J; Al Dahouk,S; Bäumler,W; Bernstein,E; Bocca, B; Alimonti, A;,Colebrook ,H; Cuyper, C; Dähne,L;, Urs Hauri,U; Howard, P.C; Janssen, P; Katz, L; Klitzman, B;Kluger, N, Krutak, L; Platzek,T; Luch, A (2016.) A medical-toxicological view of tattooing. Lancet. 387 (10016), 395-402
Subject area(s) and keywords
Substance use disorder, tattooing, hermeneutic methodology.
Project title
Do we know enough about the interaction between illicit drug use and micronutrient status?
Supervisor(s)
Professor Alexander Mario Baldacchino
Project description
- Context. According to the World Health Organization, “substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances. Psychoactive substance use can lead to dependence syndrome” [1]. While it is estimated that globally, around 164 million people had an alcohol or drug use disorder in 2016, substance abuse is often misconceived in research and practice.
In another hand, micronutrient deficiencies are a global concern, as for example, iodine deficiency is affecting two billion of people through the world [2] and 17% of the global population are at risk of zinc deficiency [3]. Malnutrition affects key development outcomes including poor physical and mental health or exacerbation of diseases.
Theoretically, individuals experiencing the substance abuse are at risk of malnutrition. In a recent meta-analysis conducted by Urhna et al. [4] showed that these individuals have unhealthy dietary patterns, inter alias, meals skipping, eating food with high-fat and also with high-sugar content.
However, no linkage is available between the substance abuse and the micronutrient status. In order to document the gap of knowledge about the substance abuse effect on micronutrient status, we are looking for a candidate how will lead a systematic review on this topic.
- Objectives. The specific aims of this study are:
- Methodology. A systematic review.
1# to document the association of the chronic illicit drugs on the major micronutrient relevant at the public health point of view (Vitamin A; Vitamin D; Vitamin B and Vitamin E; trace elements such as iodine, iron, selenium, zinc and magnesium)
2# to document the effect of micronutrient supplementation on the substance abuse and addiction management.
Outcomes. I) to highlight, eventually, the need of the micronutrient supplementation; ii) to identify the involvement of the micronutrient in the addiction process; iii) to depict the association of illicit drug with the micronutrient physiological balance.
Relevant references
- WHO. Substance abuse. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2016 [cited 2019 30/10]; Available from: https://www.who.int/topics/substance_abuse/en/.
- Zimmermann MB, Andersson M. Update on iodine status worldwide. Current opinion in endocrinology, diabetes, and obesity2012 Oct;19(5):382-7.
- Maxfield L, Crane JS. Zinc Deficiency. StatPearls. Treasure Island FL: StatPearls Publishing LLC.; 2019.
- Urhan M, Ergün C, Karadağ MG. Analysis of food consumption status, body weight change and body composition ın ındividuals with substance use disorders: a systematic. Progress in Nutrition2018;20(2-S):5-28.
Subject area(s) and keywords
Micronutrient deficiencies; nutritional status; Addiction; Alcohol; Benzodiazepines; Cocaine; Nicotine; opioids.
Project title
Development of an essential drugs list for the UK
Supervisor(s)
Professor Frank Sullivan and Dr Virginia Hernandez Santiago
Project description
To replicate work undertaken in Canada to adapt the WHO essential drugs list to Scotland.
Relevant references
Realistic Medicine: https://www.realisticmedicine.scot/
Development of a preliminary essential medicines list for Canada https://www.braceworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/cmajo-20160122.pdf
Effect on Treatment Adherence of Distributing Essential Medicines at No Charge: The CLEAN Meds Randomized Clinical Trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31589276
Subject area(s) and keywords
Health care, Health Policy, Prescribing, Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hypertension Treatment, Adherence, Diabetes, Diabetes and Endocrinology Cardiology, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Dyslipidemia, Research, Methods, Statistics, Health Care Quality
Project title
Patient involvement in the design of recruitment to lung cancer screening trials
Supervisor(s)
Professor Frank Sullivan and Ms Lynsey Brown
Project description
Co-design of research which effectively involves members of the population who may benefit from an intervention is increasingly important. We wish to compare the extent of involvement with recruitment to the success of recruitment in a range of settings. Data collection will include interviews and document review from sites offering lung cancer screening and analysis will be via mixed methods.
Relevant references
- Sullivan FM, Farmer E, Mair FS, Treweek S, Kendrick D, Jackson C, et al. Detection in blood of autoantibodies to tumour antigens as a case-finding method in lung cancer using the EarlyCDT®-Lung Test (ECLS): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC cancer. 2017;17(1):187.
- McRonald FE, Yadegarfar G, Baldwin DR, Devaraj A, Brain KE, Eisen T, et al. The UK Lung Screen (UKLS): demographic profile of first 88,897 approaches provides recommendations for population screening. Cancer Prevention Research. 2014;7(3):362-71.
- Van Iersel CA, De Koning HJ, Draisma G, Mali WP, Scholten ET, Nackaerts K, et al. Risk‐based selection from the general population in a screening trial: selection criteria, recruitment and power for the Dutch‐Belgian randomised lung cancer multi‐slice CT screening trial (NELSON). International Journal of Cancer. 2007;120(4):868-74.
- NIHR. National Standards for Public Involvement. sites.google.com/nihr.ac.uk/pi-standards/standards
- Sanders EB, Stappers PJ. Co-creation and the new landscapes of design. Co-design. 2008 Mar 1;4(1):5-18.
Subject area(s) and keywords
Research methodology, Cancer, Screening, Co-design, Lung cancer, Early diagnosis, Screening, Health economics, RCT, Primary care, Biomarker, Autoantibodies