Modelling human lactation to improve long term health

The Cambridge Lactation Laboratory (https://www.cambridgelactationlab.com/) is seeking enthusiastic and motivated prospective PhD candidates to support the Cambridgeshire Multiomics of Milk (CAMB MOM) study. Join a dynamic and growing research group in the Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology at the University of Cambridge, under the leadership of Dr Alecia-Jane Twigger. The team is passionate about women’s and infant health hosting both experimental (wet lab) and bioinformatic (dry lab) research. Here, you will have the opportunity to receive training in both disciplines.  Despite the compelling evidence supporting the benefits of breastfeeding, there are significant gaps in our knowledge about how the mammary gland matures to perform its function of milk synthesis and secretion. Within the CAMB MOM study, we conduct multiomics analyses (lipidomics, metabolomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics) on samples from a cohort of breastfeeding participants in Cambridgeshire. The insights gained from gene-gene interaction networks will be tested using in vitro mammary organoid models and integrated into computational models. You will be able to choose which aspect of the study you are most interested in and together we will develop a tailored, dynamic and exciting research programme. The overarching aim of the project is to investigate the molecular pathways of human milk production, to resolve breastfeeding challenges and promote optimal long-term health for mothers and infants.