Immune signatures for Healthy Aging

People in England live longer than ever before, but not always in good health. Many older people live with multiple long-term conditions, resulting in substantial risk of age-related disease and care needs. It is becoming increasingly evident that current diagnostic and prognostic tools are not sufficient to distinguish normal healthy ageing from age-related disease, including dementia.
In this PhD studentship we will determine the value of immune signatures that can separate healthy ageing from dementia. We will apply cutting edge measurement of gene expression profiles of blood samples from healthy people and compare the gene profiles to individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease or Dementia with Lewy Bodies. Gene expression biomarkers will be identified using artificial intelligence-enhanced technology to allow the student to measuring the 'shape' of global gene expression, accurately representing the molecular phenotype as a robust 'pathway biomarker'. Selected pathways will be further explored using in vitro and in vivo models. This studentship will provide novel insight into biological pathways of the aging immune system that will help us to better understand healthy aging and how dysregulation can lead to increased risk of developing certain types of dementia.