Unravelling how endothelial metabolism drives vascular inflammation (ROBINSON_Q26DTP)

How do blood vessels know when to switch between healing and harm?

This PhD project investigates how two key endothelial surface receptors—Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) and Neuropilin-2 (NRP2)—regulate energy metabolism and inflammation in blood vessels. These receptors are well known for their role in vessel growth, but emerging work from our lab shows they also act as “metabolic gatekeepers,” helping endothelial cells decide when to generate energy, repair damage, or trigger inflammatory responses.

You will use cutting-edge tools including real-time metabolic flux analysis (Seahorse), in vivo metabolic imaging (hyperpolarised 13C-pyruvate MRS), live-cell microscopy, RNA sequencing, and chromatin profiling to study how changes in metabolism drive inflammation and vascular dysfunction.

This multidisciplinary project is ideally suited to students with interests in vascular biology, cell metabolism, or inflammation. You will join a collaborative lab with a track record of supporting PhD students, embedded in the world-class Norwich Research Park environment.

Supervision will be shared between Dr Stephen Robinson (Quadram Institute), Professor Sam Fountain (UEA), and collaborators in imaging and epigenetics. Training will be provided in molecular biology, transcriptomics, immunology, and in vivo physiology.

You’ll gain skills that are directly applicable to careers in academia, biotech, or medical research—and you’ll contribute to understanding why blood vessels go wrong in diseases like atherosclerosis and diabetes.