Research Supervisor Connect
A key feature of human aging is that our cells undergo replicative arrest in a process known as cellular senescence. Senescent cells secrete pro-inflammatory factors that impair healthy cell function and can cause and worsen chronic age-related disorders such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. In particular, osteoporosis has been linked to the loss of dividing stem cells and accumulation of senescent fibroblastic cells. Senolytics are a new category of compounds with the therapeutic potential that act to selectively destroy senescent cells. Our group is investigating the discovery of novel senolytics and their application to age-related bone loss.
Associate Professor Aaron Schindeler.
Westmead - Westmead Institute for Medical Research
Our team has performed detailed in silico screening to discover a range of novel, putative senolytics that have the potential to act as new senolytic drugs. This includes both new compounds that bind to known senolytic targets as well as senolytic and senomorphic cannabinoids. This project will involve first the cell-based screening of these drugs’ senolytic properties in different cell types including bone cells. They will then be tested in preclinical mouse models of age-related bone loss.
We are seeking motivated students interested in developing their technical skills and wishing to make a difference in the lives of children with severe genetic disorders. This project is ideal as a PhD project, but a modified version of a Masters project could be a possibility. A strong candidate will be able to work as part of a multidisciplinary research team and have strong written/oral communication skills. The capacity to attract an independent scholarship (first class honours, prior publications) will be looked upon extremely favourably.
Co-supervisor Jonathon Arnold jonathon.arnold@sydney.edu.au
For more information contact A/Prof Aaron Schindeler at aaron.schindeler@sydney.edu.au
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 3417