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phd ezine offer holdersTRANSCRIPT
Join your
Social Community
New Student/Supervisor
Research Publication Section
Follow Our
Student
Ambassador
Blogs
Offer Holder e-Zine
New Technique
Could Predict
Heart Attacks
Accommodation Information
Why Live in Edinburgh?
Join Your
Social Media Community
Scans could aid delivery decisions
Welcome,
1
This e-Zine is designed for students who have an offer with the University of
Edinburgh-College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, to provide you with the latest
College updates as well as further details on your journey to the University.
Hello,
This month we launched our brand new app, which is
available via the App Store under the search name ‘UoE
CMVM’. More on the features of the app is included in
the month’s issue.
We’ve also started a new section showcasing some of
our current PhD students research collaborations with
their supervisors. This month’s issue looks at
publications in the fields of developmental biology and
clinical brain sciences.
We’d love to hear any feedback you may have on this
section.
As always, if you have any further queries please
contact us. September is getting very close now and
myself and the whole team look forward to welcoming
you to the programme!
Best wishes,
Barry Connolly
Customer Relationship Manager
2
Latest College News
Low testosterone levels linked to diabetes
Low levels of testosterone in men could increase their risk of
developing diabetes. University scientists have found that low
testosterone levels are linked to a resistance to insulin, the hormone
that controls blood sugar levels.
Low testosterone
We know that men with low testosterone levels are more likely to
become obese, and as a develop diabetes. This study shows that low
testosterone is a risk factor for diabetes no matter how much a person
weighs. (Read More)
New technique could predict heart attacks
A new imaging method could help improve how
doctors predict a patient’s risk of having a heart
attack.
University scientists, funded by the British Heart
Foundation, have combined different scan
techniques to look at the disease process in
coronary arteries that lead to heart attacks.
The research, carried out in collaboration with the
University of Cambridge, looked at the use of PET
scans and CT scans. (Read More)
Latest College News
Vets work on mystery of
"robotic cats“ Vets are working to find the cause of a neurological
condition that has been affecting Scottish cats during
the last decade.
The cats are believed to have a slowly-progressing
neurological disease, with symptoms that include an
odd walking gait with a stiff, extended tail. This
strange movement has seen the cats dubbed as
‘robotic cats’.
Collaboration
Experts from the University’s Royal (Dick) School of
Veterinary Studies are working with the Animal
Health Trust to identify the cause of the condition.
The illness is currently untreatable but it is hoped that
if experts can determine its cause they will be able to
find a treatment.
Diagnosis
Around 50 cases of the ultimately-fatal disease have
been identified, mostly in Scotland, over the past
decade. The Hospital for Small Animals at the Royal
(Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is offering a
service whereby vets can send videos and full clinical
histories of cats to help diagnose cases of the
condition. (Read More)
Scans could
aid delivery
decisions
Scientists are
using MRI scans
to see if they can
determine when
best to deliver
babies that are
not growing as
fast as they
should in the
womb.
The University
study aims to see
if changes to the
placenta can
indicate when
babies that are
not growing as
fast as they
should need to be
delivered.
These babies
should be
delivered to
improve their
survival rates.
(Read More)
New University of Edinburgh College of
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine App
We're pleased to let you know that the ‘UoE CMVM’ App is now live
and free to download at Apple's App Store.
The App pulls together key information from our website, allowing
prospective applicants to explore the range of postgraduate
programmes available and get application advice, while offer-
holders can use it to watch video guidance on accepting offers, and
access accommodation links, latest College news, student blogs,
Facebook groups etc.
We will be using the App to keep you updated on important
updates leading up to matriculation and enrolment. So please
remember to 'accept' the push notification request once
you've downloaded it.
The App is currently available for iPhone and iPad users only, but if
successful will be rolled out to other platforms. You can find it in the
App Store by searching for "UoE CMVM".
Explore CMVM
through our
films, blogs,
E-zines and
social media
pages. (Click on the logo)
We have three communities where we encourage
offer holders to speak to each other online.
Keep up to date with the latest news from the
Postgraduate Office
Blogs
A sneak peak of postgraduate life from our student
bloggers
E-zines
View our latest E-zines featuring key information for
applicants.
YouTube
We have our own feature page and are adding films
all the time.
Online events
Instructions on how to log in to our virtual drop-in
sessions.
PhD Student Research
As a new feature to the offer holder e-Zine, each month we
shall be showcasing research publications, where our current PhD
students have submitted papers in collaboration with their supervisor.
This month we showcase research in developmental biology and
clinical brain sciences.
SOCS2 is the critical regulator of GH action in murine growth
plate chondrogenesis.
Pass C, Macrae VE, Huesa C, Ahmed SF, Farquharson C.
Source
Bone Biology Group, Division of Developmental Biology, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of
Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian; Bone & Endocrine Research Group, Royal
Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow.
Abstract
Suppressor of Cytokine Signalling-2 (SOCS2) is a negative regulator of growth hormone (GH) signalling and bone
growth via inhibition of the JAK/STAT pathway. This has been classically demonstrated by the overgrowth
phenotype of SOCS2(-/-) mice which has normal systemic IGF-1 levels. The local effects of GH on bone growth
are equivocal and therefore this study aimed to understand better the SOCS2 signalling mechanisms mediating
the local actions of GH on epiphyseal chondrocytes and bone growth. SOCS2, in contrast to SOCS1 and SOCS3
expression, was increased in cultured chondrocytes following GH challenge; and gain-and-loss of function studies
indicated that GH stimulated chondrocyte STATs-1, -3 and -5 phosphorylation was increased in SOCS2(-/-)
chondrocytes but not in cells over-expressing SOCS2. This increased chondrocyte STAT signalling in the
absence of SOCS2 is likely to explain the observed GH stimulation of longitudinal growth of cultured SOCS2(-/-)
embryonic metatarsals and the proliferation of chondrocytes within. Consistent with this metatarsal data; bone
growth rates, growth plate widths and chondrocyte proliferation were all increased in SOCS2(-/-) 6-week old mice
as was the number of phosphorylated STAT-5 positive hypertrophic chondrocytes. The SOCS2(-/-) mouse
represents a valid model for studying the local effects of GH and IGF-1 on bone growth. © 2012 American Society
for Bone and Mineral Research.
Copyright © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Research Supervisor
Professor Colin Farquharson
Profile: http://www.roslin.ed.ac.uk/colin-farquharson/
Claudin k is specifically expressed in cells that form
myelin during development of the nervous system and
regeneration of the optic nerve in adult zebrafish.
Münzel EJ, Schaefer K, Obirei B, Kremmer E, Burton EA,
Kuscha V, Becker CG, Brösamle C, Williams A, Becker T.
Source
Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Abstract
The zebrafish has become an important model organism to study myelination during development and
after a lesion of the adult central nervous system (CNS). Here, we identify Claudin k as a myelin-
associated protein in zebrafish and determine its localization during development and adult optic nerve
regeneration. We find Claudin k in subcellular compartments consistent with location in autotypic tight
junctions of oligodendrocytes and myelinating Schwann cells. Expression starts in the hindbrain at 2
days (mRNA) and 3 days (protein) postfertilization and is maintained in adults. A newly generated
claudin k:green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter line allowed us to characterize oligodendrocytes in
the adult retina that express Claudin k and olig2, but not P0 and uniquely only form loose wraps of
membrane around axons. After a crush of the adult optic nerve, Claudin k protein levels were first
reduced and then recovered within 4 weeks postlesion, concomitant with optic nerve myelin de- and
regeneration. During optic nerve regeneration, oligodendrocytes, many of which were newly generated,
repopulated the lesion site and exhibited increasing morphological complexity over time. Thus, Claudin
k is a novel myelin-associated protein expressed by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells from early
stages of wrapping and myelin formation in zebrafish development and adult regeneration, suggesting
important functions of the gene for myelin formation and maintenance. Our Claudin k antibodies and
claudin k:GFP reporter line represent excellent ways to visualize oligodendrocyte and Schwann cell
differentiation in vivo.
Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Articles available: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/guide/
(Account required)
Research Supervisor
Dr Catherina G. Becker, PhD
Profile: http://www.cnr.ed.ac.uk/Research/becker.html
Why Study In Edinburgh?
Edinburgh has something for everyone. There are great
pubs, clubs and restaurants, theatres and cinemas,
museums, galleries, parks, gardens, shops and sport
centres.
Nightlife and entertainment
Explore the city after dark - live music, comedy, theatre
or just a night out with friends in a pub.
Culture and heritage
Find out more about the lively cultural life of the city
from historic buildings to contemporary art.
Festivals
Theatre. Jazz. Science. Books. Film. Television.
Fashion. Art. You name it. We’ve got a festival for it
Eating
Tapas, noodles, curry, sushi, chateaubriand. It’s not
all haggis and shortbread you know.
Sport and activities
Spectator or adrenalin junkie? Find out more about
activities to do (or watch) in the capital
Edinburgh has regularly been voted one of the most desirable places to live in
the world. Our city mixes architectural beauty and history with a lively, fun
environment. Our city offers an exciting array of entertainment, history, culture
and sport, with the lush Scottish countryside and coastline just a few miles
away. It is a safe and prosperous city, with an abundance of parks and green
spaces for recreation and reflection. The city centre also plays host to a
carnival atmosphere every August, when the world-famous Edinburgh
Festival Fringe takes over the town.
12
Accommodation Overview
Guarantee and deadlines
New single postgraduate students from
outside the EU are guaranteed an offer
of student accommodation.
For postgraduates from within the EU
studying for the full year 2011-12, if you
would still like to be considered for
University accommodation, it is
important you apply online using the
'Ready to apply' link below and, when
requested, ensure you opt to go onto
the waiting list.
Guarantee and deadlines
Self-catered details
Self-catered accommodation options for new
single postgraduate students, including
locations, room types and prices.
Self-catered details
Catered details
Catered accommodation options for new
single postgraduate students, including
location, room types and prices.
Catered details
Related links
•Private Housing
•Ready to apply?
•Student experiences of University accommodation
•Energy and sustainability
•EAP and Pre Sessional Student Accommodation
Follow the College’s student ambassadors and their experiences
at the University of Edinburgh:
http://explorecmvm.blogspot.com
Callum Johnstone
Current PhD student studying aspects of Dementia.
Follow his blog at: http://callumjohnston.blogspot.com/
Xin Ma
Current PhD student studying causes of Alzheimer's
disease.Follow her blog at: http://florazgnd.blogspot.com/
Vicky Young
Current PhD student, studying reproductive health
http://edinburghphdstudent.wordpress.com/
Xiying Yang
Current MSc student in Biomedical Sciences.
Follow her blog at: http://yangxiying.blogspot.com/
Student Blogs
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Contact Details
If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate
To contact us at:
Postgraduate Office College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine The University of Edinburgh The Chancellor's Building 49 Little France Crescent Edinburgh EH16 4SB Tel: +44(0)131 242 6460/6461 Email:[email protected]
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