How nutrition and the connection between the gut, muscles, and heart affect aging, health, and disease — using metabolomics and proteomics
- Funding
- Self-funded
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Apply by
- Year round
- Start date
- Year round
This project explores how nutrition and the gut–muscle–heart connection influence aging, health, and disease. By combining cutting-edge metabolomics and proteomics, it uncovers unique biological pathways—offering transformative insights into healthy aging and innovative strategies for disease prevention. Join us in redefining the future of health.
Background:
Aging is a complex biological process influenced by numerous factors, including nutrition, metabolism, and the interaction between different organ systems. Increasing evidence suggests that the gut, muscle, and heart are tightly interconnected in what is now referred to as the “gut–muscle–heart axis.” Disruptions in this axis can lead to systemic inflammation, metabolic disorders, reduced mobility, and increased cardiovascular risk—especially in older adults. Understanding how nutrition modulates these interactions could unlock powerful new interventions to promote healthy aging and prevent chronic diseases.
Metabolomics and proteomics—advanced tools for studying small molecules and proteins—offer unprecedented insights into the molecular signatures of health and disease. These technologies can reveal how diet and lifestyle choices influence the gut microbiome, muscle health, and heart function at the systems biology level. However, despite promising data, the precise mechanisms and inter-organ signaling pathways remain poorly defined.
This project seeks to bridge that gap, focusing on the role of nutrition and metabolic cross-talk between the gut, muscle, and heart in the context of aging and disease. It is uniquely positioned at the interface of nutrition science, systems biology, and translational health research.
Aim:
To investigate how nutrition and metabolism influences molecular communication between the gut, muscle, and heart in aging, using integrated metabolomic and proteomic approaches to identify biomarkers and pathways linked to health and disease states.
What the candidate will do:
The selected candidate will lead a multidisciplinary research project involving both experimental and analytical components. They will:
Training and collaboration:
The project will be embedded within a vibrant research environment, involving collaboration with:
This project offers a unique opportunity for a motivated candidate to develop advanced technical and analytical skills while contributing to research that has real-world impact on aging and health
With degree in nutrition, biology, biochemistry, health or data science.
| Masoud Isanejad | m.isanejad@liverpool.ac.uk | https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/masoud-isanejad |
Email your CV, cover letter, project title and reference number and information about shcolarship to supervisor name: Masoud Isanejad, m.isanejad@liverpool.ac.uk
You may need the following documents to complete your online application:
Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £5,005
Full-time place, per year - £31,248
Fees stated are for 2025/26 academic year
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this project, as well as general student living costs.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.
There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.
We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.
If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £17,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for financial support worth up to £12,000 per year for up to three years of full-time postgraduate research (or up to five years part-time pro-rata).
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.