Development and evaluation of new inflammatory biomarkers in canine chronic enteropathy at the University of edinburgh

Supervisors: Silke Salavati Schmitz, R(D)SVS, Gwo-Tzer Ho, QMRI and Mick Watson, Roslin     

Closing Date:  5th January 2022

Canine chronic enteropathy (CCE; previously called inflammatory bowel disease; IBD) is one of the most common gastroenterological diseases in dogs. It likely has a similar multifactorial pathogenesis to IBD in people, but exact mechamisms of the development of inflammation are still unclear. Currently, canine CCE is a diagnosis of exclusion, necessitating a plethora of diagnostic tests, followed by empirical treatment trials. This causes not only significant veterinary costs, but delay in diagnosis, prognosis and appropriate treatment.

With this PhD project, we are hoping to address the paucity of specific tests that can characterise inflammation, complement and facilitate diagnosis, aid prognosis and even differentiate early amongst dogs that will respond to different treatment modalities. Novel approaches elucidating the role of intestinal epithelial cells in the pathogenesis of CCE will also help to understand pathogenesis and might lead to the detection of entirely new markers of disease.

The aims of the project are 2-fold (samples used will be from privately-owned dogs with spontaneously occuring disease as well as healthy controls, including longitudinal assessment):

1. The development of faecal biomarkers of intestinal inflammation based on next generation sequencing, the establishment of a "dysbiosis" index as well as faecal metabolomics and individual biomarkers (e.g. calprotectin)

2. The development of canine assays for serum/ plasma/ whole blood/ faecal inflammatory markers that can aid diagnosis. These could act both as "activity markers" of CCE and maid aid differentiation in clinical subcategories

References

Heilmann & Steiner. Clinical utility of currently available biomarkers in inflammatory enteropathies of dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2018 Sep;32(5):1495-1508.

Schmitz & Suchodolski. Understanding the canine intestinal microbiota and its modification by pro-, pre- and synbiotics - what is the evidence? Vet Med Sci. 2016 Jan 11;2(2):71-94

We would encourage applicants to list up to three projects of interest (ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice) from those listed with a closing date of 5th January 2022 at https://www.ed.ac.uk/roslin/work-study/opportunities/studentships 

This opportunity is open to UK and international students and provides funding to cover stipend, tuition fees and consumable/travel costs.  Applications including a statement of interest and full CV with names and addresses (including email addresses) of two academic referees, should be emailed to [email protected].

When applying for the studentship please state clearly the project title/s and the supervisor/s in your covering letter.

A webinar will be held on Tuesday 14th December at 13.00hrs (UK time) to assist you in the application process and tell you a little more about studying for a PhD with us.  It will also give you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.  If interested in joining us please send your name and email address to [email protected]by Friday 10th December and we will send you a link to the on line meeting

ALL APPLICATION PROCEDURES MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE CLOSING DATE 5th JANUARY 2022