Establishing the effect of microplastic and nanoplastic exposure on inflammatory bowel disease

Director of Studies: Dr Nathaniel Clark 

2nd Supervisor: Dr Lee Hutt 

3rd Supervisor: Dr Raul Bescos Garcia 

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship. The studentship will start on 1 October 2024.

Microplastics (<5 mm) are contaminating our food and mineral water. They been found in human stool, gastrointestinal tissue samples and blood samples, highlighting that ingestion of plastic is resulting in uptake into internal organs. A meta-analysis has suggested that humans could ingest up to 5g of microplastics per week. Many of these microplastics are likely to weather during their transit through the gastrointestinal tract, releasing nanoplastics (<1000 nm) that have a higher bioavailability compared to the larger plastics. Despite the evidence of plastic ingestion, the effect this has on the gastrointestinal tract remains unclear. 

The presence of plastics in food could be contributing to inflammatory pathophysiological conditions, a large proportion of which are commonly attributed to “unknown” environmental factors. For example, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has an environmental component, and its prevalence has increased in line with the large-scale production and use of plastics. Such conditions have an altered gut environment (e.g., luminal pH), which will alter the toxicity and accumulation of microplastic and nanoplastic exposure and enhance inflammation. The effect of microplastic and nanoplastic exposure on the gut under pathophysiological conditions in humans has not been investigated.

This project aims to provide novel insights into the impact of plastic particles on the gut health using in vitro cell methodologies. Specifically, the dose-dependent effects and inflammatory response will be measured, as well as quantify nanoplastic uptake into the cells. This project will use an interdisciplinary approach to understand microplastic and nanoplastic toxicology and accumulation. 

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject or a relevant Masters qualification. Knowledge of either Biology, Cell culture and/or Toxicology is desirable. 

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component test area) or equivalent. 

The studentship is supported for 3 years and includes full Home tuition fees plus a stipend of £18,110 per annum 2023-24 rate (2024-24 rate TBC). The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for Home fees with relevant qualifications.  Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates approximately £13,244 per annum 2024-25 rate.

NB: The studentship is supported for three years of the four-year registration period. The fourth year is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ year.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr Nathaniel Clark.

Please see our apply for a postgraduate research programme page for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application. 

For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our apply for a postgraduate research programme page or contact the Doctoral College at research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview in the week commencing 03 June. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.