To interested students wishing to apply for Science Without Borders

funding:
PI name & contact details:

School:

Dr. Astrid Sasse

Assist. Prof. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Email sassea@tcd.ie
Phone +353-1-896 2979
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Research Centre / group

affiliation:

Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI)

Research group / centre

website:

http://www.tcd.ie/biosciences/research/pislive.php

PI website / link to CV:

http://people.tcd.ie/sassea

Brief summary of PI research:

Astrid Sasse is a registered pharmacist who studies genetic linkage of histamine
H4 receptors with various diseases. Dr. Sasse is also the Director of Teaching and
Learning (UG) in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Trinity
College.
Title & brief description of PhD project:
Analysis of the Promoter of the Histamine H4 Receptor Gene.
The human Histamine H4 Receptor (hH4R) is the newest member in the
histamine receptor family, which is primarily expressed in haematopoietic cells. 1
Interestingly, the HRH4 gene is characterised by a microsatellite triplet repeat
variation in the promoter region, where this CAA trinucleotide repeat can be
repeated 10 19 times. The length of this triplet repeat may affect receptor
expression. Recent publications focusing on length variations in both coding and
non-coding region of genes showed biological importance and association to
human diseases, such as in Huntington disease, myotonic dystrophy and Fragile
X syndrome.2 Repeats in non-coding regions (i.e., promoter region) can have a
significant impact on the gene including generation of chromosome fragility,
silencing of the gene and modulation of transcription and translation of the
protein.2
Aim of the PhD project:
The aim of this project is to generate by molecular cloning several plasmid
vectors which contain variable numbers of triplet repeats (VNTRs) within the H4
receptor promoter region in frame to a luciferase reporter gene which will the
transfected into cells. The luciferase reporter gene will be activated by the H4
promoter which will create a luminescent read-out in transfected cells.
Research will also encompass patient DNA samples, where polymorphism will be
linked to conditions such as childhood atopic dermatitis through collaboration
with Our Lady Childrens Hospital, Crumlin in Dublin.
1
2
3

Micallef S and Sasse A. Polymorphisms and genetic linkage of histamine receptors

(2013). Life Sci. 93(15):487-94.
Usdin K The biological effects of simple tandem repeats: Lessons from the repeat
expansion diseases (2008). Genome Res. 18:10111019.

This PhD project will bring research from the bench (molecular cloning) to the
bedside (patient DNA). The student will be receiving training from postdoctoral
researchers and the academic supervisor.
Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI) where the laboratories are located is
an environment where innovative and interdisciplinary approaches are leading to
scientific discoveries of biomedical importance, ultimately giving rise to better
patient care.
The Trinity PhD is a structured PhD and students can access discipline-specific
training, as well as generic and transferable skills. All PhD students are eligible
to participate in the Innovation Academy which offers a Postgraduate Certificate
in Innovation and Entrepreneurship to assist PhD students identify and exploit
the value within their research.
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, Biological Chemistry,
Molecular Biology.
Cincia sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD
project fits- choose only one (tick box):
Engineering and other technological areas
Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)
Health and Biomedical Sciences
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
Aerospace
Pharmaceuticals
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
Minerals
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology and New Materials
Technology of prevention and remediation of natural disasters
Biodiversity and Bioprospection
Marine Sciences
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering