Investigating the impact of insulin resistance on ageing, appearance, and wellbeing using sleep as a model system
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Institute of Cellular Medicine
Abstract
Impaired glucose homeostasis, due to reduced insulin sensitivity combined with relative insulin deficiency, is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes. It is also a characteristic feature of ageing and may represent a pivotal mediator of age-related changes in the structural and functional integrity of key organs, including skin and its associated appendages. However understanding on the impact of systemic insulin resistance on cutaneous ageing is limited. The same limitations apply to the biological effects of acute fluctuations in insulin sensitivity, resultant from daily environmental challenge, on skin, its associated appendages and translation to appearance cues. The PhD study aims to examine the impact of insulin resistance on appearance and cutaneous ageing using sleep as a model system. Converging evidence suggests that neuroendocrine changes associated with sleep deprivation may be connected to alterations in insulin sensitivity. This relationship will be examined and disturbances in neuroendocrine regulation explored as a biological mediator of ageing. Apart from the experienced supervisory team at Newcastle University and Unilever UK, the project will benefit from access to the UK BioBank and the Sleepstation (Newcastle's Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programme). The research outcomes have far reaching implications including commercial applications in the Personal Care and Healthcare arenas.
This is a multi-disciplinary PhD studentship and includes cellular, molecular biological and physiological techniques such as metabolism measures, histological analysis, image analysis, cell culture, molecular biology, genetic analysis, immunostaining and gene expression studies.
This is a multi-disciplinary PhD studentship and includes cellular, molecular biological and physiological techniques such as metabolism measures, histological analysis, image analysis, cell culture, molecular biology, genetic analysis, immunostaining and gene expression studies.
People |
ORCID iD |
Mark Birch-Machin (Primary Supervisor) | |
Gewei Zhu (Student) |
Publications
Zhu G; Ruddy L
Mitochondrial protection for health and ageing
Zhu G
Exploration of sleep as a specific risk factor for poor metabolic and mental health: a UK Biobank study of 84,404 participants
in Unknown, Not yet published
Zhu G
(2018)
Does insomnia worsen cardiometabolic health?
in Advances in clinical neuroscience and rehabilitation
Description | Unilever |
Organisation | Unilever |
Department | Research and Development Colworth |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Ran experiments on samples provided by them and report back results. Provide regular updates on project progression. |
Collaborator Contribution | Offer training opportunities to learn new techniques. |
Impact | Had the opportunity to learn new techniques from them. |
Start Year | 2017 |