PhD scholarship Denmark National Veterinary Institute

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June 13, 2008

PhD scholarship: Colostrum for Gut Protection and Recovery. Closing date for applications 30 Juni 2008 at 12 noon

A PhD position is available within a FØSU – funded project (“Colostrum for gut protection and recovery”) which is a collaborative project between University of Copenhagen, Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of LIFE Sciences and several other partners, including specifically on this PhD project, the company Biofiber Damino A/S. The project is centred on a well-described pig model for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and short bowel syndrome (SBS) which both are serious gastrointestinal conditions in humans with severe consequences for the patients. The project deals with the definition and preparation of colostrum-derived compounds with a beneficial effect on such conditions in humans both for treatment and for prevention in predisposed individuals especially in premature infants having a high risk of NEC.

Establishing an optimal colostrum preparation for protection against NEC
We hypothesize that bovine colostrum (the first cow’s milk just after giving birth), from vaccinated as well as from non-vaccinated cows, contains bioactive factors (proteins or others) that will aid the establishment of a balanced microflora and immune system in the gut. Colostrum from normal cows, and from cows vaccinated against Clostridium bacterial species, will be investigated for antibody reactivity before and after various sterilisation treatments and drying procedures and then tested for ability to protect piglets from NEC. The concentration and stability of two bioactive peptides, osteopontin and TGF-beta, will be monitored, and proteomics analytical methods will be used to identify other colostrum bioactive factors and to follow stability during colostrum preparation. Finally, in vitro assay systems will be used to elucidate host responses related to protection, using microarray technology for expression analysis. The protective actions of conventional colostrum will be compared to that of various hyperimmune preparations and normal milk and fractions of milk. The aim of the project is to provide proof of concept for protection against NEC in a piglet model by administration of optimal colostrum preparations. The project provides support for use of colostrum to prevent against or treat human NEC and SBS in other studies in the same research program. The Ph.D. project will be situated at DTU-Vet, Copenhagen and will be conducted in a close collaboration with KU-LIFE where animal experiments will take place. Furthermore synergy is expected with an ongoing project on milk anti-microbial proteins at DTU-VET.

Candidates should have a master’s degree in engineering or a similar degree with an equivalent academic level, e.g. animal/human nutrition, food chemistry, biology or biochemistry.

The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. Information about the requirements for enrolment and the planning of the scholarship studies is included in the general rules of DTU, see more on: http://www.dtu.dk/English/education/Phd_Education.aspx.

The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The position is available for a period of 3 years.

For further information please contact senior scientist Peter Heegaard, pmhh@vet.dtu.dk, tel: +45 72 34 62 41.

Application
If you wish to apply for the PhD scholarship regarding Colostrum for gut protection and recovery, please mark your application 33142-0746 and send it including CV, diploma and other relevant documents not later than 30 June 2008 at 12 noon to

The Dean of Research
DTU, National Veterinary Institute
Bülowsvej 27
DK-1790 Copenhagen V or
by email to journalen@vet.dtu.dk addressed as above

Scholarship Tags: Colostrum, Denmark, Gut, Institute, National, PhD, Protection, Recovery, Scholarship, Veterinary