PhD student position in medical science

University of Gothenburg
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Arbetsplats:
Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Medicine

Titel:
PhD student position in medical science - The role of marrow adipose tissue on fracture risk

Diary id: PAR 2017/78. Project title: Marrow adipose tissue - its regulation and role on bone properties and fracture risk. Job assignments: Osteoporosis mainly affects elderly women, is characterized by impaired bone structure and bone quality and leads to increased risk of fractures. Scandinavian women have the highest risk in the world to suffer from hip and vertebral fractures, which lead to increased morbidity and mortality. In the bone marrow, both fat cells (adipocytes) and bone forming cells (osteoblasts) are developed from the same stem cell. Aging and conditions such as oestrogen deficiency, spinal cord injury, corticosteroid therapy or weight loss after starvation or gastric bypass surgery, leads to increased amount of marrow adipose tissue (MAT), reduced bone strength and increased fracture risk. Very limited knowledge is available on how MAT affects the skeleton. We have recently shown that increased subcutaneous fat is related to impaired bone quality (more cortical pores and lower material strength). The aim of the project is to develop a method to quantify MAT using high resolution computed tomography and to investigate whether measuring MAT can improve our ability to predict fracture risk in older women. In order to increase understanding about the mechanisms involved, the association between the amount of MAT with bone microstructure and projected strength, as measured by high resolution computed tomography will be examined. In addition, we intend to investigate whether the amount of the MAT is related to bone material strength, a feature important for its strength. We will also study whether mechanical load (jumps) results in decreased MAT in an intervention study of older women, and examine whether weight loss after gastric bypass surgery or low caloric diet leads to impaired microstructure and reduced material strength, and whether these changes can be explained by the change in the MAT. The PhD student project may lead to improved fracture risk assessment and increased knowledge that can lead to better treatments to prevent fractures.

Eligibility:
To be admitted to third-cycle studies you must fulfill both the general and the specific entry requirements. The general entry requirements is fulfilled if you have: 1. completed a degree at a second-cycle level, or 2. completed at least 240 credits worth of studies of which at least 60 credits must be at a second-cycle level, or 3. acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad. The specific entry requirement is fulfilled if you have completed the English B/6 course or is considered to have acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies.


KONTAKTPERSON

Funktion: Project supervisor
Namn: Mattias Lorentzon
E-post: mattias.lorentzon@medic.gu.se

Telefon: 031 786 0000