PhD by Research Programme (Metabolic Disorders)

Principal Investigator: Professor Sven Pettersson, MD PhD, Professor, Senior CIFAR fellow, LKCMedicine
Collaborator:Cognitive function Assistant Professor Shawn Je Hyunsoo, Neurobiology program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School

Project Description:
The physiological regulation of whole body metabolism depends upon an intricate inter-organ cross talk set by diet, physical activity and the gut microbiome. It is also known that physical activity influence host metabolism and has beneficial effects on cognitive function. We have identified a “microbiome-muscle communication axis”, which influence skeletal muscle growth and muscle metabolic function. The signaling pathways and molecules executing this microbiome regulation of skeletal muscle function are not known. Previous work has also identified a microbiome-brain axis indicating the gut microbiome influences brain development and function. The signaling pathways are not known. We work predominantly in animal models, including the use of germ free (GF) mice. We will also consider the use of faecal transplantation into GF mice from patients with diseases relevant to muscle and brain dysfunction.

This project is on brain development and function. The student will employ a variety of metabolic, molecular and behavioral assays to better understand how the microbiome and its metabolites can influence emotion and cognitive function.

If you have questions regarding this project, please email the Principal Investigator.
Professor Sven Pettersson

Sven.Pettersson@ki.se

SPettersson@ntu.edu.sg

Please refer to the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine website for programme information - http://www.lkcmedicine.ntu.edu.sg/Pages/default.aspx